Captain Ashalata Devi, who was among the three nominees for the AFC Women's Player of the Year 2019, said that getting to play in the AFC Women's Asian Cup will be a 'dream come true'.
India will host the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 finals, continent's biggest tournament for the first time since 1979.
India are also slated to host the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup from February 17-March 7 next year.
If India wins the bid, it will be the first time the country will host the continental showpiece event.
India was awarded the tournament by the Asian Football Confederation's Women's Committee as part of the AFC's commitment to grow the women's game.
India also dropped out of the top 16 in the AFC rankings, plummeting to 18th.
Bahrain scored the decisive and only goal of the match in the injury time to beat India in a do or die clash.
India secured a stunning 4-1 win over Thailand before going down 0-2 to hosts United Arab Emirates in a group match in which Sunil Chhetri and Co. had more clear chances than their opponents.
A draw against Bahrain, currently ranked 113, will be enough for India (ranked 97) to qualify for the round of 16 for the first time in the continent's showpiece event.
UAE moved top of the table in Group A with four points from two matches while second-placed India still remained in the hunt for a knockout berth with three points from two outings.
The Indian defence played a vital role in keeping the Thai attackers at bay in their last game, and Kotal believes that the back-four has a good chemistry between themselves.
Four days after creating a flutter with a stunning 4-1 drubbing of Thailand, India are now looking an upbeat lot in the continental showpiece.
India will play their first match on Sunday against Thailand here, followed by games against UAE (Abu Dhabi) and Bahrain (Sharjah) on January 10 and 14 respectively.
The continental tournament is starting from January 5 in the UAE and will be held till February 2.
India take on Thailand in their opening match of the AFC Asian Cup 2019 and Jeje sounded confident.
Indian start their Asian Cup campaign on January 6 when they take on Thailand. They will play UAE on January 10 followed by the match against Bahrain on January 14.
The last date for registration of the list of 23 players for the Continental Championship is slated for December 26.
India ended their Group C engagements with five points from three matches. Their previous best performance came way back in 2002 when they finished the group stage with four points.
India are clubbed with UAE, Thailand and Bahrain in Group A of the continental showpiece.
India were thrashed by their opponents in 2011 and returned home without a point, but this time around, things could be different, believes Bhutia.
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