The moment India’s U20 women’s team have been building towards is finally here. On Thursday evening in Pathum Thani, the Young Tigresses will step onto the pitch at the Thammasat Stadium to face Japan in their opening match of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026, marking their return to the tournament after a 20-year absence. Kick-off is scheduled for 18:30 IST, with the match streamed live on FanCode. But beyond the occasion, this is a test of everything this group has worked towards over the past few months. Built for this stage India arrives in Thailand not as a team hoping to make up the numbers, but as one that has been carefully prepared for this level. Since the qualifiers in Myanmar, the squad has spent months together, training camps, international friendlies, and exposure tours all feeding into a clearer identity. The emphasis has been on improving structure, decision-making, and the ability to handle high-tempo opposition. Head coach Joakim Alexandersson believes that work has translated into visible progress. “I’m confident that the whole …