Historic Qualification After Two Decades
In a historic night for Indian football, the Indian U-20 women’s national team sealed their place in the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026, set to be held in Thailand, after an intense 1-0 victory over hosts Myanmar in Yangon. The result ended a 20-year wait for the Indian dugout, with their last appearance coming in 2006 when the tournament was an U-19 competition.
Pooja’s First-Half Goal Secures Victory
The match-winning goal came in the first half, around the 27th minute, from winger Pooja, whose quick reaction proved to be the game-changer in a contest that demanded patience and grit from both sides.
India’s Group D campaign began with a well-fought draw against Indonesia, followed by a dominant 7-0 win over Turkmenistan. Going into the final match against hosts Myanmar, the equation was clear — a win would secure the top spot in the group and qualification for the Asian Cup in Thailand.
Key Moments in the Match
In front of an energetic home crowd at the Thuwunna Stadium, the game was evenly contested. The first half saw India dominating, while the second half had Myanmar pressing hard for an equaliser.
The first real threat came from Myanmar in the ninth minute when Su Su Khin’s shot was tipped wide by Indian goalkeeper Monalisha Devi. India responded with attacking plays on the flanks, especially through Neha and Sibani Devi Nongmeikapam.
The breakthrough arrived before half-time when Neha’s cross from the left was mishandled by the Myanmar goalkeeper, and the rebound struck Pooja before bouncing into the net. While fortune played its part, it was the only goal of the match.
Defensive Resilience and Close Calls
In the second half, Monalisha Devi, who maintained a perfect defensive record in the tournament, made several crucial saves. The most dramatic moment came with just 10 minutes left, as Moe Pwint Phyu’s header hit the post and rolled along the line before Monalisha cleared it.
Myanmar struck the woodwork again, while India almost doubled their lead when Sulanjana Raul’s header crashed against the crossbar. Solid defending ultimately secured a clean sheet for India, who did not concede a single goal throughout the tournament.
Recognition and Preparation
Following the win, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) awarded USD 25,000 (approximately ₹22 lakh) to the team. AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey hailed the victory as proof of long-term investment in women’s football.
The team’s preparation included a 135-day training camp, participation in the Pink Ladies Youth Cup in Turkiye, friendlies against Uzbekistan U-20, and training sessions with the senior national team.
Looking Ahead to Thailand 2026
The AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 in Thailand (April 1–18) will feature 12 teams and also serve as a qualifier for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2026 in Poland.
This achievement follows the senior women’s team’s qualification for the 2026 Asian Cup in Australia last month, marking a rare double success. The Young Tigresses’ unbeaten run highlights the impact of grassroots development and international exposure, as they now aim for a historic campaign in Thailand.
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Yash Desai is a renowned journalist with over 10+ years of experience covering sports around the world. He began his career as a News Reporter in Delhi, India, and got an opportunity to cover several World events, including the Olympics, Paralympics, and World Games. He often felt that women’s sports are sidelined and given step-motherly treatment by the mainstream media. To bridge this gap and to build an equal playing field, Yash co-founded FemaleInSports and is currently working as a Lead Editor here.
