New Delhi, March 19 -- Two weeks before their opening clash against Japan in Thailand at the AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup, the Indian U20 women's national team skipper Shubhangi Singh believes her young side needs to play some preparatory matches.

For Shubhangi, the significance of qualification has already been processed. The celebrations in Myanmar, where India ended their 20-year wait, have given way to a sharper, more immediate focus.

"We went there with the mindset to qualify, and we did," she told AIFF. "When you already believe something is going to happen, it doesn't come as a surprise."

That belief now fuels a squad preparing for what she acknowledges will be a stern test. India will face Japan on April 2 at 18:30 IST, Australia ...