The Indian women’s football team will look to respond after a difficult opening outing when the Blue Tigresses take on Russia in the second international friendly at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. After suffering a 0-4 defeat in the first encounter, India face another stern test against a higher-ranked opponent as they seek to improve their defensive organisation, midfield control and attacking effectiveness.
The two-match series offers India an opportunity to measure themselves against European opposition and gain valuable international experience. With Russia ranked 27th in the world and India placed 69th in the FIFA women’s rankings at the time of the fixture, the contest presents a significant challenge for the hosts. India’s first match against Russia, played on Thursday, saw the visitors establish their superiority through goals from Iana Sheina, Kira and Iana Svistunova.
The result highlighted the gap the Indian side must work to bridge, particularly when dealing with the pace, movement and physical demands of a higher-ranked team. For the Blue Tigresses, the second friendly is not simply about securing a better scoreline. It is also an opportunity to apply lessons from the opening game, make tactical adjustments and build greater confidence against international opposition.
India vs Russia: Second Friendly Match Details
– Match: India Women vs Russia Women, second international friendly
– Date: Sunday, October 11, 2026
– Venue: Kishore Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata
– Live streaming: Indian Football YouTube channel
– Entry: Free for fans, according to the supplied fixture information
What India need to improve after the 0-4 defeat
India showed defensive discipline during the opening half of the first friendly, limiting Russia’s opportunities and creating chances of their own. Malavika P and Lynda Kom Serto threatened in attack, but the hosts could not convert their openings into goals. Russia broke the deadlock through Iana Sheina in the 40th minute. Kira Petukhova then scored twice in the 60th and 65th minutes before Iana Svistunova completed the 4-0 victory in the 81st minute.
The conditions also played a role, with heavy rain making the second half more challenging for India. Russia capitalised on defensive errors and sustained pressure to extend its advantage. India head coach Crispin Chettri acknowledged the disappointment while taking responsibility for the result. “A 0-4 loss is not acceptable to anyone, not to me, the players or the fans. I take full responsibility for it. The standard Russia showed is what we strive for and are working towards,” he said.
Defender Juli Kishan also identified finishing as a key area for improvement, with India having created several opportunities in the opening game. The second encounter will therefore test whether the Blue Tigresses can translate their attacking moments into goals while maintaining defensive concentration for the full 90 minutes.
A valuable test for India’s emerging generation. The October friendlies are part of India’s preparations for future international competitions, with the team looking to build on its sixth SAFF Women’s Championship title in June 2026. The matches also provide international exposure to younger players as the coaching staff continues to develop the squad.
Six players made their senior international debuts in the first match: Babysana Devi Thingbaijam, Malati Munda, Cindy Colney, Shubhangi Singh, Dhurga Perumal and Sibani Devi Nongmeikapam. Their inclusion reflects the team’s focus on broadening its options and building experience against stronger opposition.
For India, the immediate priority will be greater accuracy in the final third, improved decision-making under pressure and the ability to sustain defensive organisation. A stronger performance against Russia would offer encouraging signs of progress, even as the team continues to work towards closing the gap against higher-ranked opponents.
The result matters, but India’s response matters more. The second India vs Russia women’s football friendly is an important measure of how quickly the Blue Tigresses can learn from a difficult defeat. India’s first-half resistance showed that the team could compete in phases, but the four goals conceded after Russia found the breakthrough underlined the importance of maintaining concentration throughout the match.
With younger players gaining senior international experience, the coaching staff must balance immediate results with long-term development. Better finishing and defensive discipline should be the priorities in Kolkata. The real takeaway will be whether India can turn the lessons from Thursday’s defeat into a more organised, confident and competitive display in the second friendly.
