India U17 Women vs Malaysia: Young Tigresses Win 4-0 to Book Asian Cup Spot

Image: AIFF

India U17 women produced a dominant performance to beat Malaysia 4-0 at the MP Selayang Stadium on Sunday and qualify for 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 Nidhi added three more goals after the break.

The victory also created history for the Young Tigresses. India became the first Indian team to qualify for back-to-back Women’s Asian Cups in any age category, including the senior level.

Joakim Alexandersson’s side finished on top of Group E with nine points from three matches. India also completed the qualifiers without conceding a goal, having earlier beaten Iraq 14-0 and Syria 2-0.

Heavy rain before the match had left the pitch difficult to play on, with water in several areas slowing the ball. India, however, adapted well and controlled the game from the beginning.

Malaysia goalkeeper Putri Aina Husna Binto Mohd Subri was kept busy during the opening 25 minutes as India created one chance after another.

India controlled the midfield and prevented Malaysia from building attacks. Silky Devi Sorokhaibam regularly moved forward from the right, while Alva provided width on the other side.

Nira Chanu Longjam came close when her header struck the crossbar. India also won several corners but could not make their early pressure count.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 29th minute.

Silky found Redima, who struck a powerful right-footed shot from distance to put India ahead.

India could have doubled the lead before half-time when Anushka Kumari went past the goalkeeper, but Nina Binti Hasmaji cleared her effort from the goal-line.

The Young Tigresses continued to dominate after the break.

Malaysia goalkeeper Subri initially denied both Pritika and Anushka, but India finally scored their second goal in the 51st minute.

Alva found Anushka in space and the striker played the ball across to Pritika on the right. Pritika kept her finish low and found the net to give India a 2-0 lead.

Five minutes later, Anushka added the third.

She collected a clearance following an India corner and struck from distance, with the ball dipping into the near post. It was her eighth goal of the qualifiers.

Malaysia showed slightly more attacking intent as the match progressed, but India remained comfortable at the back. Goalkeeper Munni was rarely troubled, while Julan Nongmaithem and Abhista Basnett dealt confidently with the home side’s attacks.

India added one more goal in the 87th minute through substitute Nidhi.

Starting around 25 yards from goal, Nidhi carried the ball past three defenders, went around the advancing goalkeeper and finished from close range. It was her first international goal.

The final whistle brought celebrations from the Indian players and staff, while the home crowd also applauded the Young Tigresses.

Three matches, three wins, 20 goals scored and none conceded completed an impressive qualifying campaign and confirmed India’s place at the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2027.