AFC Women's Asian Cup
India’s place in the Finals was secured off an unbeaten, albeit dramatic, qualifying journey in which Basfore’s brace became the deciding factor in the final-day showdown between the South Asians and Thailand.
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Basfore, a true team player, was quick to deflect personal praise, eager to highlight the squad that had rallied behind her.
“Sure, I scored the deciding goals, but they were the result of my teammates’ setups – so it was a complete team effort,” she recently said to the-AFC.com. “It was the culmination of the hard work and preparation over the last year, thanks to the many friendlies we played before the Qualifiers.”
“Sure, I scored the deciding goals, but they were the result of my teammates’ setups – so it was a complete team effort,” she recently said to the-AFC.com. “It was the culmination of the hard work and preparation over the last year, thanks to the many friendlies we played before the Qualifiers.”
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Now, with the continental showpiece looming, Basfore believes qualification has ignited a spark in the squad—a spark that must be fanned into a blazing fire.
“Thanks to the Qualifiers, we now believe in our quality and are heading into the Finals with a determination to take India deep into the competition. We know we are already a strong team and want to show that in Australia,” she said.
“Thanks to the Qualifiers, we now believe in our quality and are heading into the Finals with a determination to take India deep into the competition. We know we are already a strong team and want to show that in Australia,” she said.
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As a village girl who defied the odds to forge a career in the beautiful game, Basfore hopes that a strong showing Down Under will inspire the next generation, a motivation she often found lacking during her own childhood.
“Football was the only sport I knew as a child, and I was fortunate to convince my family it was something I could pursue professionally,” Basfore reminisced. “Wearing the national team jersey was my dream, and I have lived it. Now, if we do well, it can fuel the dreams of young players and give them confidence. It could also shift the mindset of young girls, encouraging them to choose football as a career path.”
“Football was the only sport I knew as a child, and I was fortunate to convince my family it was something I could pursue professionally,” Basfore reminisced. “Wearing the national team jersey was my dream, and I have lived it. Now, if we do well, it can fuel the dreams of young players and give them confidence. It could also shift the mindset of young girls, encouraging them to choose football as a career path.”
The Blue Tigresses will kick off their campaign against 2022 quarter-finalists Vietnam, before facing four-time champions Japan and three-time winners Chinese Taipei.
Despite being ranked considerably lower than their Group C rivals, the East Bengal forward is brimming with optimism as she looks ahead to the challenging road ahead, at the end of which could be a coveted ticket to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027.
Despite being ranked considerably lower than their Group C rivals, the East Bengal forward is brimming with optimism as she looks ahead to the challenging road ahead, at the end of which could be a coveted ticket to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027.
“We are aware of the quality of our opponents and that they are higher ranked, and we respect them,” she said. “But we also want to prove that we are more than capable and will prepare accordingly.
“Every player dreams of playing at the World Cup, and after so many years, we have a real chance of making that dream a reality. On behalf of the team, I promise we will work hard and hope our fans back us so we can put India firmly on the map in women’s football.”
“Every player dreams of playing at the World Cup, and after so many years, we have a real chance of making that dream a reality. On behalf of the team, I promise we will work hard and hope our fans back us so we can put India firmly on the map in women’s football.”
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