ANTALYA, Turkey – The Indian women’s football team, affectionately called the Blue Tigresses, notched up another vital win in their pre-tournament build-up, defeating Zvezda-2005 Perm from Russia 2-0 in a friendly at Serik’s S&B Sports Football Complex.
Striker Anju Tamang struck first in the 9th minute, showcasing sharp instincts to break the deadlock. The match remained tense, but Linda Kom Sertto’s late 89th-minute goal ensured a clean-sheet victory, delighting the traveling contingent.
This result caps a productive camp in Turkey for the side preparing for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup Down Under. They’ve now won three of their five friendlies here, including a narrow 1-0 success over Hertha BSC Frauen – where Grace Dangmei shone – and a resilient 0-0 draw with Spartak Moscow.
Upcoming, India faces Romania’s FFK Sixzereda Mircuria Siuc on February 7, their last test before heading to Perth, Australia, on the 10th. The Asian Cup schedule pits them against Vietnam (March 4), Japan (March 7), and Chinese Taipei (March 10) in Group C.
Coach Chaoba’s preparations emphasize high pressing and set-piece execution, evident in today’s dominance. The win boosts morale and provides valuable data on opponent patterns. As they shift to Australia for final polishing, the Tigresses are poised for a competitive showing, leveraging their Turkish gains to target a deep tournament run.