Anything can happen if we reach the playoffs: Dennerby in the FIFA World Cup for India

Thomas Dennerby, the coach of India’s women’s soccer team, stressed that “we will fight with our lives” to achieve their dream of reaching the next AFC Asian Cup qualifiers and securing 2023 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Asked if India is sure it will make it to its first FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023, Dennerby did not give a straight answer, but said “anything can happen” if his team reaches the Asian Cup qualifiers (quarterfinals).

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“Let’s take it a step further. Of course, we have a dream, and that starts with being one of the eight teams in the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup,” the experienced Swede said on FIFA’s website.

“If we get to that level, anything can happen. I promise everyone that we will only come out with a winning mentality and make a great effort. And we will fight with our lives.” Five Asian Cup teams from January 20 to February 4 in Mumbai and Pune will qualify directly for the 2023 World Cup. Asia won six straight and two continents in the FIFA World Cup. The Australian hosts have taken a direct stand.

Teams that have lost in the quarterfinals will also play qualifying matches to decide who will qualify for the two intercontinental playoffs. The top two teams in the three sets and the top two finishers have qualified for the quarterfinals.

Dennerby has been the coach of Sweden and has led Nigeria to the World Cup after winning the African Championship. Now he dreams of a feat with the Indian team.

“We won the AFCON Championship in Nigeria and qualified for the Women’s World Cup. I still have a dream to feed, and at the moment India is looking to enter the quarterfinals of this Asian Women’s Cup.

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“A couple of victories can help us achieve that victory mentality and make everyone believe we can do it. Football is, after all, a mental game,” said 62-year-old Dennerby, who took charge of the team last August. in.

India will play its first game of the series against Iran on January 20, and will play Taipei and China on January 23 and 26, respectively.

He said the quality of the Indian players could surprise the people of Europe. The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to see more players in Europe follow in Bala Devi’s footsteps.

“I have friends who keep asking me about our players in Sweden and all over Europe, and I keep saying that it can surprise all the qualities we have in India.

“They have played in Sweden, so maybe some of them can open their doors. We also have to remember that in a pandemic situation, it is difficult for European clubs to bring in Indian players because you can’t send them to rehearsals.

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“So I hope our Swedish camp gives them some opportunities.” Asked about the most exciting players in the current Indian team, Dennerby said: “We have some players who are playing at a very good level and players with special characteristics. It is difficult to distinguish one because they are all special.

“This being a team game, it’s not appropriate at the moment to specify the names. But some of the girls have been very impressive. I keep pushing.”