As part of its preparations for next year's AFC Asian Cup, the Indian women's football team will face former World Cup runners-up Brazil for the first time in an international event later this month.
The 57th-ranked Indians will meet Chile (ranked 37th in FIFA) and Venezuela (ranked 56th) at the competition in Manaus, Brazil, which runs from November 25 to December 1.
Brazil, ranked seventh in the world and runners-up in the 2007 World Cup and Olympic silver medalists in 2004 and 2008, is captained by Marta Vieira da Silva, widely regarded as the best women footballer in the world.
Marta was the best player and top scorer at the 2007 World Cup, winning the award six times. With 112 goals in 167 games, she is Brazil's leading international goal scorer.
It is unknown whether Marta, 35, would compete in this event, but it will undoubtedly be one of the most difficult tournaments the Indian women's team has ever faced.
All India Football Federation (AIFF) said, “this will be the first time any Indian senior national team will be playing against either Brazil, Chile or Venezuela”.
The exposure tour is part of Indian team's preparations for the AFC Women's Asian Cup, which will take place in Mumbai and Pune from January 20 to February 6 next year.
AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das said, “as the governing body, we want to provide the best platform for preparation for our women's senior team as they prepare for the AFC Women's Asian Cup India 2022. Brazil and Chile are regular World Cup teams, and I am confident playing against such opposition will help our women's team to grow in stature”.
The AIFF is also finalising the scheduling for the four-nation competition in Kerala in December, which would provide the women's team vital international experience, according to Das.
