India’s women’s football team made a resounding statement in their AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 qualifying campaign, thrashing Mongolia 6-0 in their opening match on Monday in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Forward Pyari Xaxa stole the spotlight with a stunning five-goal performance, while Sangita Basfore opened the scoring early to set the tone for a dominant display.
The match, held at the 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium, marked India’s first win in over four months, offering a much-needed boost after a string of disappointing results. Their last victory came against Jordan earlier this year at the Pink Ladies Cup, followed by a rough patch with defeats to Russia, South Korea, and Uzbekistan. The slump had seen the Blue Tigresses drop to their lowest-ever FIFA ranking of 70.
India wasted no time asserting control. Basfore struck in just the eighth minute, slotting home from close range. But it was Pyari Xaxa who soon turned the contest into a personal showcase. She repeatedly broke through the Mongolian defense, notching five goals in a remarkable individual performance that underlined her finishing prowess and composure under pressure.
The result was never in doubt, as India maintained possession, dictated the pace, and denied Mongolia—ranked 126th in the world—any real opportunity to respond.
This commanding start signals a fresh chapter for the national team under newly-appointed head coach Crispin Chhetri. Chhetri, who previously led Odisha FC to the women’s premier division title, is aiming to lead the Blue Tigresses to the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup finals in Australia.
India is drawn into a manageable Group C alongside Mongolia, Timor Leste (ranked 158th), Iraq (ranked 173rd), and host nation Thailand (ranked 46th). Only the group winner will earn a spot in the main tournament, raising the stakes for each game in the qualifiers.
India’s next test comes against Timor Leste, six days from now at the same venue. With momentum now on their side and confidence restored, the Blue Tigresses will be looking to build on this impressive start and inch closer to securing qualification.
