Sangita Basfore: From Depression to Firing India into the AFC Women's Asian Cup

Indian footballer Sangita Basfore, who scored two goals in July 2025 to qualify India for the AFC Women's Asian Cup, has revealed she overcame depression from an ACL injury and her father's death during the 2022 tournament she missed. Basfore's brace in a 2-1 win over Thailand secured India's first merit-based qualification for the continental event. The 30-year-old midfielder said the achievement was a major personal milestone after her difficult period, which included India's COVID-19 withdrawal from the 2022 edition. Basfore began playing at her uncle's boys-only academy in West Bengal and debuted for India in 2013. She noted India's winless 2026 Asian Cup campaign followed a late coaching change, and she advocates for more professional opportunities and fewer job restrictions for women footballers.