India's U17 Women's Football Team Qualifies for 2027 Asian Cup

On October 11, 2026, India's U17 women's football team achieved a remarkable milestone by qualifying for back-to-back AFC Women’s Asian Cups, becoming the first Indian team at any age level to do so. The Young Tigresses secured their spot in the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup 2027 with a decisive 4-0 victory over Malaysia in their final Group E match at the MP Selayang Stadium. This achievement highlights the progress of women's football in India and showcases the talent and determination of the team. Redima Devi Chingkhamayum opened the scoring in the first half, followed by goals from Pritika Barman, Anushka Kumari, and Nidhi in the second half, completing a successful qualifying campaign.

The Young Tigresses, under the guidance of head coach Joakim Alexandersson, finished the qualifying round with three wins from three matches, topping Group E with a total of nine points. Their impressive performance included a staggering 20 goals scored without conceding any, following previous victories of 14-0 against Iraq and 2-0 against Syria. The team's offensive prowess and solid defense were key to their success throughout the tournament, showcasing their skill and teamwork.

In the final match against Malaysia, both teams entered with six points, but the Young Tigresses remained determined to secure a win despite challenging playing conditions due to heavy rain. Parts of the pitch became waterlogged, complicating ball movement. Nevertheless, the Indian team maintained pressure on the Malaysian defense, coming close on several occasions before Redima Devi Chingkhamayum broke the deadlock in the 29th minute, giving India a 1-0 lead at halftime.

After the break, the Young Tigresses continued their attacking play, with Pritika Barman and Anushka Kumari both attempting to extend the lead. It was Anushka, however, who assisted Pritika for the second goal in the 51st minute. Anushka then scored herself just five minutes later with a long-range effort. Nidhi capped off the scoring in the 87th minute with a stunning solo goal, marking her first international goal and further solidifying India's dominance in the match.

This historic qualification signifies another significant advancement for women's football in India. Earlier in 2026, the U17 team reached the quarter-finals of the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup for the first time, demonstrating their growth on the continental stage. Competing in the upcoming tournament will provide valuable experience for the young players as they face some of Asia's strongest teams, contributing to the development of women's football in the country.