India is set to begin its journey in the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup 2025 Qualifiers on Wednesday, facing off against Hong Kong China in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The Indian futsal team, coached by Joshuah Stan Vaz, has a strong squad of 14 players selected after a training camp in Bhavnagar, Gujarat.
There are a total of 18 teams competing, split into four groups. India finds itself in Group B with Hong Kong China, the Kyrgyz Republic, and the host nation, Indonesia. Only the top two teams from each group, plus the best third-placed team overall, will move forward to the main tournament in May. This is a notable event for India, as they missed the last two editions.
Futsal is a fast-paced variant of football played indoors, typically involving five players per team. The playing area is much smaller than traditional football fields, making the game more dynamic. Matches consist of two 20-minute halves, using heavier balls that don’t bounce as much as regular footballs.
The upcoming AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup 2025 will feature 12 teams. This is the first time qualifications are being held, allowing India and 17 other teams to compete for a spot. Notably, China has already qualified as the host country, while defending champions Iran and Japan secured their places by reaching the finals in 2018.
Iran holds the record for the most titles in the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup, having won it twice. The tournament will take place from May 7 to May 18 in China and will serve as a qualifying event for the inaugural 2025 FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup in the Philippines. The top three teams at the Asian Cup will earn spots in the World Cup.
Fans in India can stream the qualifiers live on RCTI+, but there is no TV broadcast available. Here’s India’s match schedule in Indian Standard Time (IST):
- January 15, Wednesday: India vs Hong Kong China – 2:30 PM
- January 17, Friday: India vs Indonesia – 2:30 PM
- January 19, Sunday: India vs Kyrgyz Republic – 2:30 PM
As for India’s squad, here’s a breakdown:
Goalkeepers: Tanvi Mavani, Pushpa Sahu
Defenders: Radhika Patel, Achom Degio, Maya Rabari
Midfielders: Arya More, Ritika Singh, Vaishnavi Barate, Pooja Gupta, Drishti Pant, Alphonsia M, Rebecca Zamthianmawi
Forwards: Khusbu Saroj, Madhubala Alawe
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