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India Face Tough Test Against Russia in Historic Kolkata Friendly
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News18•07-10-2026, 16:15
India Face Tough Test Against Russia in Historic Kolkata Friendly
- •India will play 27th-ranked Russia in the first of two international friendlies in Kolkata on Thursday.
- •The match at Kishore Bharati Krirangan marks the Indian women senior team's international debut in Kolkata.
- •Head coach Crispin Chettri aims to test his young squad with an average age of 23 ahead of next year's AFC Women's Asian Cup.
- •Russia has won both previous meetings against India without conceding a goal, including an 8-0 victory in 2021.
- •The second friendly between the two sides is scheduled for October 11.
Key Questions Answered
Russia has won both of their previous meetings against India, securing an 8-0 victory in 2021 and a 2-0 triumph in Sharjah in February of the previous year.
Head coach Crispin Chettri's squad is using the international friendlies against Russia to build towards next year’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
India's preparations have been affected by player club commitments, specifically East Bengal’s participation in the Indian Women’s League and the AFC Women’s Champions League.
