Anthony Andrews coached Gokulam Kerala to two formidable IWL victories
All India Football Federation (AIFF)’s Technical Committee met on Thursday 13th July 2023 to decide the coaching staff of women’s and U-16 men’s national teams. The meeting was convened under the chairmanship of former Indian football player I.M. Vijayan. Committee members Mrs. Pinky Bhompal Magar, Mr. Climax Lawrence, Mr. Arun Malhothra, Mr. Harjinder Singh, and Mr. Eugeneson Lyngdoh attended this meeting. AIFF Technical Director Shabir Pasha also attended this meeting.
After a long discussion, the head coach of the senior women’s national team has been decided as Anthony Andrews.
Andrews holds an AFC ‘A’ License and is one of the youngest coaches in India. He led the Gokulam Kerala Women’s team to consecutive IWL (Indian Women’s League) titles in the two years (2021-22 and 2022-23). He will be a familiar face for many players on the national team. Indian Senior Women’s team Captain Ashalata Devi, Grace Dangmei, Ranjana Chanu, Indumathi Kathiresan, and Sandhiya Ranganathan were part of Gokulam under him.
The Committee selected three core Coaching Staff to lead the U16 Mens Team from various applications from various levels.
Former Kerala Blasters FC player and assistant coach Ishfaq Ahmed has been appointed as the U-16 Mens Team Head Coach.
“This is a new beginning for the India Senior Women’s and U-16 national teams, and I am sure they will be in able hands, and the coaches we have recommended will do a fine job in taking their respective teams forward. The Senior Women will be playing the all-important AFC Olympic Qualifiers Round 2 from October 26 to November 1. While the U-16s have an assignment in hand in the SAFF U-16 Championship to be played in Bhutan from September 1 to 11. I am sure the teams will perform to the level which will make us feel proud,” AIFF Committee Chairman I.M. Vijayan said after the meeting.
Currently, the India National Women’s team is ranked 60th in the world.
