Bhutia Backs India Women, AIFF Faces Accountability Questions
Three games, zero points, sixteen goals conceded — including an 11-0 demolition by Japan. India’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 campaign in Australia was a catastrophe from start to finish, and the fallout has barely begun. Bhaichung Bhutia, India’s greatest football icon, urged the players to stay positive and not be defined by the tournament result — but made clear that those who failed them behind the scenes must answer for it.
AIFF Women’s Committee Chief Valanka Alemao didn’t hold back. “Questions must be asked and answers sought from those responsible for the series of blunders concerning the team — it has caused huge embarrassment to the country,” she told Outlook. The list of failures was long: head coach Amelia Valverde was appointed from Costa Rica just six weeks before the tournament without any open process; the team played only three preparatory friendlies — two against Nepal; ill-fitting junior jerseys were sent to Australia instead of proper kits.
“Who decided to appoint Valverde by sidelining Crispin Chhetri so close to the tournament?” Alemao demanded. “Everything was goofed up.” The players showed up. The system didn’t.