Maymol Rocky: Necessary to play against higher-ranked teams to improve

Indian Women's Football coach Maymol Rocky on Wednesday said that it is necessary to play against higher-ranked oppositions for the team to improve further. This comes after the Indian women football team is scheduled to play two friendlies against Vietnam on November 3 and November 6. Coach Rocky had earlier also said that the match against Vietnam would be 'really tough' and would also help the team prepare for the AFC Women's Asian Cup. 

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Maymol Rocky while speaking to All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Wednesday said, "This is the first time that we will play against Vietnam and it is necessary to play against higher-ranked teams to get more exposure and play better." While eyeing the AFC Women's Asian Cup, Rocky said, "Our main aim is to qualify for the AFC Cup and such matches are going to help us gauge our strengths and weaknesses and subsequently help us perform better." India currently ranks 57th while Vietnam is placed on 34th position in World standings. Team Goalkeeper Aditi Chauhan also said that Vietnam will be a tough challenge for the team and a bigger battle than Uzbekistan and Spain. 

"World Cup our main aim"

Earlier on October 26, Maymol Rocky while speaking about the team's next challenge against Vietnam said, "They are a quality side and just beat Thailand. Playing against them will help us develop as a team. Yes, we are looking forward to the AFC Cup but the World Cup is also our aim. That is our bigger plan. Performing well against one of the best countries will make me really happy." "Our plan to get fully prepared for the AFC Cup includes playing tougher teams and the Federation has given us their full support in it. The government is also supporting Women's football. It’s clear the women’s team and women’s football in India is growing", she added. 

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India's squad: Goalkeepers: Aditi Chauhan, Panthoi Chanu, M Linthoingambi Devi, Jabamani Tudu, Ashalata Devi, Michel Castanha, Sweety Devi, Ranjana Chanu, W Linthoingambi Devi, Roja Devi, Grace Lalrampari, Karthika Angamuthu, Manisha, Ratanbala Devi, Ritu Rani, Sangita Basfore, Sanju, Sumithra Kamaraj, Anju Tamang, Dangmei Grace, Daya Devi, Bala Devi, Renu.

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