The Indian women’s football team continued their build-up to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup with a disciplined performance, settling for a goalless draw against Russian club WFC Spartak Moscow in an international friendly on Friday in Antalya, Türkiye.
Played behind closed doors at the Side Star Sports Complex in Manavgat, the encounter saw both sides cancel each other out in a tightly contested match, with defences on top and clear chances at a premium. Despite enjoying spells of pressure, the Blue Tigresses were unable to find a decisive breakthrough against their European opponents.
The match forms part of India’s extended training-cum-competition camp in Türkiye, a crucial phase aimed at improving match sharpness and tactical readiness ahead of the continental showpiece. The squad has been based in Antalya for their overseas preparations and will continue training there until early February.
Exposure to strong European opposition remains a key objective of the camp, with the coaching staff focused on assessing combinations, improving tactical cohesion, and building match fitness before the team shifts base to Australia for the Asian Cup.
India still have three more friendly fixtures lined up during their stay in Türkiye. They will next face German side Hertha BSC Berlin Frauen on February 2, followed by Russian club Zvezda-2005 Perm on February 4. The tour will conclude with a match against Romanian outfit FK Csíkszereda Miercurea Ciuc on February 7.
Prior to the Spartak Moscow game, India had already tested themselves in two preparatory matches, suffering a 0-2 defeat against Ukraine’s FC Metalist 1925 on January 18, before registering a confidence-boosting 2-1 victory over Swiss side FC Schlieren on January 24.
Following the conclusion of the Türkiye leg, the Blue Tigresses are scheduled to travel to Perth on February 10, where further friendlies are expected as part of their final preparations.
India will kick off their AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 campaign against Vietnam on March 4 at the Perth Rectangular Stadium. With a demanding slate of international friendlies, the focus now shifts to fine-tuning strategies, strengthening squad depth, and ensuring the team peaks at the right time for the continental challenge ahead.
Friendly matches schedule:
January 30: India vs WFC Spartak Moscow, Side Star Sports Complex (Manavgat), 19:30 IST
February 2: India vs Hertha BSC Frauen, S&B Sport Football Complex (Serik), 17:30 IST
February 4: India vs Zvezda-2005 Perm, Time and venue TBC
February 7: India vs FK Csíkszereda Miercurea Ciuc, Time and venue TBC
