Panaji: When Amelia Valverde was first approached about potentially taking over as head coach of the Indian women's national football team, she decided to conduct her own thorough assessment before making any commitment. The experienced Costa Rican tactician meticulously studied multiple matches featuring the Indian squad, paying close attention to their playing style, tactical approach, and team dynamics.
Valverde's First Impressions of the Indian Team
What Valverde witnessed during her analysis, particularly during India's AFC Asian Cup qualifying campaign in Thailand, genuinely impressed the seasoned coach. "I think it's a very brave team," Valverde revealed during an exclusive video interview with TOI from Turkiye, where she has now officially joined the senior women's national team as both head coach and technical head. "One of the primary reasons I decided to accept this challenging position was because of these remarkable players. They demonstrate exceptional courage, fighting spirit in every match, and maintain their belief throughout the entire ninety minutes. This persistent optimism and determination truly resonated with me personally."
The coach specifically highlighted India's qualification journey as particularly noteworthy. "The manner in which India secured their qualification was genuinely impressive," she emphasized, acknowledging the team's achievement against significant odds.
Valverde's Impressive Coaching Credentials
Amelia Valverde brings substantial international experience to Indian football, having managed Costa Rica's national team during two separate FIFA Women's World Cup campaigns in 2015 and 2023. Her coaching portfolio also includes guiding Costa Rica's U-20 team at the highest competitive levels. Beyond her national team experience, Valverde has coached Mexican club side Monterrey, where she achieved considerable success and gained valuable club football insights.
Now, her focus has shifted entirely toward helping India realize what would be their greatest football achievement to date. The timeline is undeniably challenging, with just forty-five days remaining before India's group stage opener against Vietnam in the upcoming tournament.
The Road Ahead: Challenges and Belief
"Our belief must remain absolutely unwavering," Valverde stated with conviction. "We must continue working diligently, preparing the team comprehensively for the significant challenges ahead. Within our group, Japan stands as the strongest team, having previously won the World Cup. We recognize that both Vietnam and Chinese Taipei have World Cup experience. While we must work exceptionally hard, we must fundamentally believe that qualification remains entirely possible."
The coach has already begun instilling her philosophy among the players. "I have emphasized to the players that qualification isn't merely about what happens during the tournament itself. True qualification occurs through our daily work ethic, training intensity, and mental preparation. I am not a magician who can perform miracles, but I firmly believe we can control our work processes, training methodologies, and collective mindset. Our objective is crystal clear: we must become genuinely competitive. If we can achieve that competitive level, then truly anything becomes possible," explained Valverde, whose only previous coaching experience outside Costa Rica occurred in Mexico.
Initial Assessment and Team Integration
Since arriving in Turkiye four days ago, Valverde has immersed herself in understanding the national team setup. She has engaged in extensive conversations with the existing coaching staff, particularly head coach Crispin Chettri and assistant coach Priya PV, while simultaneously evaluating the players' capabilities and team dynamics.
"Developing personal connections with everyone involved is crucially important for me," Valverde explained. "I need to understand who they are as individuals, how they perform as footballers, what specific roles each player fulfills within the team structure, and what responsibilities the coaching staff carries. I've been communicating openly with everyone, and Cris has been particularly forthcoming in sharing his extensive knowledge about the team."
The coach acknowledged the urgency of her situation. "This week, I must begin making significant strategic decisions. How will we approach matches tactically? What additional elements can we incorporate? For me, time represents an invaluable resource. We have an important match scheduled for Saturday that will provide essential insights for player assessment. Training sessions and actual matches always present different challenges and learning opportunities," she noted pragmatically.
India's Remarkable Qualification Journey
India's path to qualification involved overcoming substantial obstacles, most notably defeating Thailand during the qualifiers. Thailand, having participated in the previous two World Cups and enjoying home advantage during the qualifiers, were considered strong favorites. However, India defied expectations by securing the single available qualification spot, earning their place in the twelve-team AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026. This prestigious tournament is scheduled to take place across three Australian cities from March 1 to 21, 2026.
The upcoming Asian Cup carries even greater significance because eight of the twelve participating teams will qualify for the next FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil. The top six teams will secure direct qualification, while two additional teams will earn spots through playoffs.
A Historic Opportunity for Indian Football
India now approaches the AFC Women's Asian Cup with an unprecedented opportunity to exceed expectations and potentially qualify for the FIFA Women's World Cup for the very first time in the nation's football history. The team will need to demonstrate the same bravery and determination that initially impressed their new coach. With Amelia Valverde's extensive experience and strategic guidance now at their disposal, the Indian women's football team appears well-positioned to maintain their belief while benefiting from world-class coaching expertise as they pursue this historic footballing milestone.
