Historic Win: India’s Women Reach AFC Asian Cup After 22 Years
July 5, 2025, is a day that Indian football fans will remember for a long time. Our women’s football team, the Blue Tigresses, did something big — they qualified for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 after more than 20 years. It was not simple. They played against Thailand, which was hosting the match and was a strong side with home crowd support. But India showed heart and won 2-1 in a game full of tension and drama.
A Dream Come True After More Than Two Decades
Many people would say this qualification is like a miracle. India’s women’s team had been doing well in the qualifiers before, winning matches easily, but the last match was the biggest test. Thailand was playing in its home stadium, had loud fans cheering, and was ranked much better in the world rankings than India. So, everybody thought it would be tough for India.
Thailand started strong, kept the ball and attacked a lot. India stayed compact, didn’t lose hope, kept fighting and looking for chances. Then in the 28th minute, Sangita Basfore scored a powerful goal to give India the lead. It was like a shot of energy for the whole team and shocked the crowd.
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The Game-Changing Moments
Thailand came back early in the second half and scored equalizer in the 47th minute. That goal made things difficult for India. Thailand attacked more, even hit the post once, but luck was not with them. India kept calm, worked as a team, and waited for their moment.
Then came 74th minute, when Shilky Devi took a corner and sent it into box. Sangita Basfore was there to head the ball and scored her second goal of the match. This goal made India lead 2-1 again. After that, India defended very well, didn’t give Thailand any chance to score again. When the final whistle came, Indian players and fans went crazy with joy. This win not only gave India the game but also secured their spot in Asian Cup, something that didn’t happen for over 20 years. Everyone was proud, and rightly so.For all the latest updates, thrilling match reports, and exclusive stories from the world of sports, keep visiting Khelostar News — your go-to destination for everything sports-related!