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Pritika Barman netted twice, while Alva Devi Senjam and Joya added a goal each in India’s 4-0 win over Lebanon as the side claimed their maiden knockouts place.
Indian Women’s U17 Football Team. (X)
India booked their place in the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2026 quarter-finals with a dominant 4-0 win over Lebanon in their final Group B match at the Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Centre Pitch 8 on Friday, May 8, 2026.
Pritika Barman was the standout performer for the Young Tigresses, scoring twice, while Alva Devi Senjam and Joya added a goal each. The result gave India their first victory and first goals in the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup since 2005 and secured their maiden qualification for the tournament’s knockout stage.
It was also India’s first appearance in the knockout rounds of any Asian Cup since the men’s AFC U16 Championship 2018, where the Blue Colts reached the quarter-finals. In women’s football, this was their first Asian Cup knockout-stage berth since the AFC U19 Women’s Championship 2004, when they also made the last eight.
In the quarter-final, India will face hosts China, who topped Group A with nine points, at the Suzhou Sports Centre Stadium on Monday, May 11, at 17:00 IST. The match will be streamed live on the AFC Asian Cup YouTube Channel. India advanced as one of the two best third-placed teams alongside Thailand, finishing the group stage with three points and a goal difference of -1, far superior to the Philippines’ -13 in Group C.
A victory in the quarter-final would seal qualification for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026, which would be India’s first-ever qualification for a FIFA World Cup on merit at any level, for either men or women.
Needing nothing less than a win to keep their hopes alive, India made just one change from their previous game, with Anushka Kumari coming in for Pearl Fernandes, and started on the front foot, taking the lead in the sixth minute.
From right-back, Divyani Linda launched a long ball forward that Pritika controlled superbly before twisting away from Lebanon defender Joya Bou Assaf. The winger then fired a brilliant left-footed shot past goalkeeper Marie Joe Chebly, giving India an ideal start.
The early goal settled India, who soon took charge of the game with confident passing and relentless pressing high up the pitch.
They almost doubled their advantage shortly after when Anushka Kumari found room inside the area, but her effort was well saved by Marie. Pritika remained a constant threat and nearly scored again in the 16th minute, only to be denied once more by the Lebanese goalkeeper.
Lebanon found it difficult to deal with India’s width and movement, while the Indian midfield kept up the pressure with quick transitions and smart positioning.
The second goal arrived in the 35th minute. Redima Devi Chingkhamayum slipped a pass towards Alva Devi Senjam at the edge of the box, and the forward burst past Gianna Frangieh before calmly finishing past the onrushing goalkeeper to give India a deserved 2-0 lead at the break.
India began the second half with the same attacking intent, pushing Lebanon further back into their own half. The Young Tigresses dominated possession for extended periods and looked dangerous whenever they attacked down the wings.
Their control was rewarded again in the 72nd minute through a piece of individual brilliance from Joya. Receiving the ball on the left flank, the substitute showed excellent close control, cut inside, skipped past two defenders and curled a fine right-footed shot into the net to make it 3-0.
India capped a superb display five minutes from time when Pritika completed her brace. Driving forward from the right wing, she surged into the penalty area unchallenged and calmly slotted past Marie, putting the result beyond doubt.
At the final whistle, the Young Tigresses celebrated a historic night, having secured their first win in the competition in over 20 years.
India U17 Women: Munni (GK), Elizabed Lakra (C) (Alena Devi Sarangthem 85′), Divyani Linda, Thandamoni Baskey (Bonifilia Shullai 75′), Julan Nongmaithem (Joya 58′), Anushka Kumari (Olivia Chanu Ningthoujam 75′), Ritu Badaik, Pritika Barman, Redima Devi Chingkhamayum, Abhista Basnett, Alva Devi Senjam (Pearl Fernandes) 75′)
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