The Young Tigresses beat Malaysia 4-0 to top Group E with a perfect record, securing consecutive AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup qualifications.

Kolkata, October 11: Indian women’s football has another milestone to celebrate, and this time, it belongs to the Young Tigresses. India’s U17 women’s team has qualified for the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup for the second consecutive edition, achieving something no other Indian team outside the senior men’s side has managed across any age category.

The qualification was confirmed this evening after India defeated Malaysia 4-0 in their final Group E match at the MP Selayang Stadium. With three wins from three matches, the Young Tigresses finished their qualifying campaign at the top of the group with nine points, leaving little doubt about their place in the continental tournament in China in 2027.

The numbers from the campaign tell their own story. India scored 20 goals and did not concede once across the three matches. Their campaign began with a commanding 14-0 win over Iraq, followed by a 2-0 victory against Syria. The final hurdle against Malaysia was cleared with another four-goal performance, completing an unbeaten run without a single goal conceded.

Under head coach Joakim Alexandersson, the team showed its attacking strength throughout the qualifiers. Redima Devi Chingkhamayum, Pritika Barman, Anushka Kumari and Nidhi found the net against Malaysia, with Redima opening the scoring in the first half before three more goals arrived after the break.

But the result carried significance beyond the scoreline. Consecutive qualifications for the AFC Asian Cup have been rare for Indian national teams, and the U17 women’s side has now joined the senior men’s team in achieving that consistency at the continental level. It is a notable moment for a women’s football programme continuing to build its presence in Asian competition.

China 2027 will offer the Young Tigresses a bigger stage, with stronger opponents and a different level of challenge awaiting them. For now, however, their qualifying record provides a clear starting point: three victories, 20 goals scored, none conceded and a place in history secured.