20 goals in three games! India U17 Women make history, becoming the first ever Indian side to qualify for back-to-back Asian Cups

Team India (Image Credit: AIFF) NEW DELHI: The India U17 women’s side made history on Sunday by becoming the first ever Indian side to qualify for the women’s Asian Cup double leg at any age group, including the senior level, after a commanding 4-0 win over Malaysia in their final Group E match of the AFC Women’s U17 Asian Cup qualifiers in Selayang, Malaysia.Coached by Joakim Alexandersson, the Young Tigresses produced another impressive performance at the MP Selayang Stadium to seal their place in the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2027. Redima Devi Chingkhamayum opened the scoring in the first half before Pritika Barman, Anushka Kumari and substitute Nidhi struck after the break to complete a dominant run.India finished their qualifying campaign with a perfect record of nine points from three matches, scoring 20 goals without conceding a single one. They opened their campaign with a stunning 14-0 demolition of Iraq before recording a 2-0 victory over Syria.Malaysia finished second in Group E with six points, followed by Syria and Iraq.

Redima broke the deadlock after sustained pressure from India

Heavy rain made the pitch slushy and puddles on the pitch made it difficult for both sides to keep their passing flowing. However, the conditions did little to disrupt India’s attacking intent as the Young Tigresses dominated possession and repeatedly threatened the Malaysian goal.India’s midfield maintained the pressure with a constant supply of through balls, while the wide players stretched the opposition defense with dangerous crosses. Silky Devi Sorokhaibam operated effectively on the right while Alva provided width on the left. Nira Chanu Longjam came close to opening the scoring but her header hit the crossbar.India won nine corners in the first half as the Malaysian defense struggled to maintain the relentless pressure. Putri Aina goalkeeper Husna Binto Mohd Subri, who made several important saves, kept the home side in the match.The breakthrough finally came in the 29th minute. Redima collected a pass from Silky and unleashed a powerful right-footed shot that flew into the middle of the net to give India a deserved lead.The young tigresses continued to push for the second goal before the break. Anushka beat the onrushing keeper but her effort was cleared by Nina Binti Hasmaji.

Three goals in the second half closed the historic qualification

India maintained their attacking pace after the restart, Subri again denying substitute Pritika and Anushka with timely saves.The resistance was finally broken when Alva found Anushka in space. The forward unselfishly rolled the ball to Pritik on the right and the substitute sent a low right-footed shot into the net to double India’s lead.Anushka then added a third with her eighth wicket of the qualifying campaign. After another Indian corner, she seized the deflection and unleashed a long-range effort from the right that went in at the near post, leaving the keeper with little chance.Malaysia managed a few moves forward late in the match, but goalkeeper Munni and centre-backs Julan Nongmaithem and Abhista Basnett ensured India’s clean sheet remained intact.The last goal belonged to Nidhi who scored her first ever international goal in a memorable way. The substitute launched a solo drive from around 25 yards out, weaved his way around three defenders, rounded the onrushing keeper and finished from close range in a 4-0 victory.The final whistle sparked jubilant celebrations among the Indian players and support staff, capping an unbeaten run in the qualifiers and a landmark for Indian women’s football. The young Tigresses now head to China in 2027 with history already secured and confidence soaring after three commanding performances.