Indian women set for historic Brazil challenge in Manaus

A new chapter in Indi-an women’s football history will be written on Thursday, halfway across the globe in Brazil. In an exciting first for a team in preparation mode for the upcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup, the Indian women will take on world No. 7 Brazil in their first match of Torneio Internacional de Futebol Feminino, a four-nation tournament in Manaus.

- Sudeshna Ghosh

Jet-lagged from a straining long flight on Sunday and devoid of adequate training session to adapt to the extreme South American weather, the players are still beaming with the prospect of facing their idols on the pitch at the Arena da Amazonia.

“We are very excited. We’ve never dreamt about playing against a team like Brazil, but we are here,” goalkeeper Aditi Chauhan was quoted as saying upon arrival in Manaus, the capital city of Brazil’s Amazonia district.