The India women’s national under-17 football team scripted history after securing their first-ever qualification to the quarterfinals of the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup with a dominant 4-0 victory over Lebanon women’s national under-17 football team in their final Group B fixture in Suzhou, China, on Friday. A brilliant attacking display from the Young Tigresses saw Pritika Barman score twice, while Alva Devi Senjam and Joya added one goal each to complete a memorable evening for Indian women’s football at the Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Centre.
The emphatic victory not only handed India their first win at the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup since 2005, but also marked the nation’s maiden appearance in the knockout stages of the competition. India advanced as one of the two best third-placed teams alongside Thailand’s women’s national under-17 football team after finishing the group stage with three points and a superior goal difference of -1.
India’s qualification also represents the country’s first knockout-stage appearance in any AFC tournament since the India men’s national under-16 football team reached the quarterfinals of the AFC U-16 Championship in 2018. In women’s football, it is India’s first Asian Cup knockout-stage qualification since the AFC U-19 Women’s Championship in 2004.
The Young Tigresses entered the match knowing only a convincing victory would keep their quarterfinal hopes alive after defeats against Japan women’s national under-17 football team and Australia’s women’s national under-17 football team in their opening two matches. The team responded with one of the finest performances in Indian youth football history. India started aggressively and took the lead within the opening minutes. Defender Divyani Linda launched a long ball from the right flank, which Pritika Barman controlled brilliantly before cutting inside and beating Lebanon defender Joya Bou Assaf. The forward then unleashed a powerful left-footed strike past goalkeeper Marie Joe Chebly in the seventh minute to hand India a dream start.
The second goal arrived in the 36th minute after Redima Devi Chingkhamayum delivered a perfectly weighted through ball to Alva Devi Senjam. The striker surged beyond Lebanon’s defence before calmly finishing past the advancing goalkeeper to double India’s advantage before halftime. India maintained their attacking intensity in the second half and controlled possession for long periods. Lebanon struggled to cope with the pace and movement of the Indian forwards as the Young Tigresses continued to create chances through the wings.
The third goal came in the 72nd minute when Joya found the back of the net to effectively seal the result. Pritika Barman then completed her brace in the 85th minute to cap off a historic evening for India. The result dramatically improved India’s goal difference and ensured qualification ahead of the Philippines women’s national under-17 football team, whose inferior goal difference of -13 left them behind in the race for the best third-placed spots.
India will now face the host China women’s national under-17 football team in the quarterfinals on Monday at the Suzhou Sports Centre Stadium. China topped Group A with a perfect nine points after winning all three of their group-stage matches and is considered one of the favourites for the title. The stakes for the quarterfinal clash are enormous. A victory against China would secure India a historic qualification for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco. It would mark India’s first-ever qualification for a FIFA World Cup on merit across any age group in both men’s and women’s football.
The AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 has already become a landmark tournament for Indian football. Despite early setbacks against stronger opposition, the Young Tigresses displayed resilience, maturity, and fearless attacking football to keep their campaign alive. Head coach Pamela Conti and her young squad will now look to continue their dream run against China as India stands just one win away from creating one of the greatest achievements in the history of Indian football.
