Team India (Pic credit: AIFF)
NEW DELHI: India’s U17 women’s side scripted history on Sunday, becoming the first-ever Indian side to qualify for back-to-back Women’s Asian Cups in any age category, including the senior level, after a commanding 4-0 victory over Malaysia in their final Group E match of the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers in Selayang, Malaysia.The Young Tigresses, coached by Joakim Alexandersson, delivered 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 win.
India finished their qualifying campaign with a perfect record of nine points from three matches, scoring 20 goals without conceding once.
They had opened their campaign with a staggering 14-0 demolition of Iraq before registering a 2-0 victory over Syria.Malaysia finished second in Group E with six points, while Syria and Iraq followed behind.
Redima breaks the deadlock after India's sustained pressure
Heavy rain had left the pitch slushy, with puddles across the playing surface making it difficult for both sides to maintain the flow of their passing moves. However, the conditions did little to disrupt India’s attacking intent as the Young Tigresses dominated possession and repeatedly threatened the Malaysian goal.
The Indian midfield kept the pressure on through a steady supply of through balls, while the wide players stretched the opposition defence with dangerous crosses. Silky Devi Sorokhaibam operated effectively down the right, with Alva providing width from the left. Nira Chanu Longjam came close to opening the scoring, only to see her header strike the crossbar.India won nine corners in the first half as Malaysia’s defence struggled to contain the relentless pressure.
The hosts were kept in the contest by goalkeeper Putri Aina Husna Binto Mohd Subri, who produced several important saves.The breakthrough finally arrived in the 29th minute. Redima collected a pass from Silky and unleashed a powerful right-footed strike that flew into the middle of the net, giving India a deserved lead.The Young Tigresses continued to push for a second goal before the interval. Anushka beat the advancing goalkeeper, but her effort was cleared off the line by Nina Binti Hasmaji.
Three second-half goals seal historic qualification
India maintained their attacking momentum after the restart, with Subri again denying substitute Pritika and Anushka with timely interventions.The resistance was eventually broken when Alva found Anushka in space. The forward unselfishly rolled the ball across to Pritika on the right, and the substitute drove a low right-footed shot into the net to double India’s advantage.Anushka then added a third with her eighth goal of the qualifying campaign.
Following another Indian corner, she picked up a clearance and unleashed a long-range effort from the right that dipped into the near post, leaving the goalkeeper with little chance.Malaysia managed a few forward moves late in the match, but goalkeeper Munni and centre-backs Julan Nongmaithem and Abhista Basnett ensured India’s clean sheet remained intact.
The final goal belonged to Nidhi, who scored her first-ever international goal in memorable fashion.
The substitute embarked on a solo run from around 25 yards out, weaved past three defenders, rounded the onrushing goalkeeper and finished from close range to complete the 4-0 victory.The final whistle sparked jubilant celebrations among the Indian players and support staff, capping an unbeaten qualifying campaign and a landmark achievement for Indian women’s football. The Young Tigresses will now head to China 2027 with history already secured and confidence soaring after three commanding performances.