Indian U17 Women's Football Team Aims for Final Spot Against Bhutan

The Indian U17 women's football team is preparing for a critical match against Bhutan in the SAFF U19 Women's Championship, aiming to secure a place in the finals. After a mixed performance in the tournament, the team is focused on improving their game and overcoming challenges. Coach Pamela Conti emphasizes the importance of physical training and maintaining intensity throughout the match. With the Asian Cup on the horizon, the Young Tigresses are determined to showcase their skills and secure a victory against Bhutan.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 3, 2026, 20:43 IST

Upcoming Match Against Bhutan

The Indian U17 women's football squad is set to face Bhutan in their final round-robin match of the SAFF U19 Women's Championship 2026 on Wednesday, February 4, at 11:45 IST. The team is eager to clinch a place in the finals.

Preparation for AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup

In preparation for the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup, which will take place in China starting April 30, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has entered the U17 team into this tournament.

Current Standings and Qualification Scenarios

After securing three points from their opening match against Nepal, the Young Tigresses currently sit in second place following a 0-2 defeat to Bangladesh. To advance to the finals, India needs to explore various strategies. A win or draw against Bhutan will suffice if Nepal loses to Bangladesh later in the day. However, if Nepal wins, India must defeat Bangladesh by a margin of at least four goals.

Coach's Insights on Recent Defeat

Despite the loss to Bangladesh, head coach Pamela Conti expressed satisfaction with her team's performance, noting improvements compared to the match against Nepal. "We are pleased with how the players implemented our strategies during the game. While we are disappointed with the outcome, we believe we deserved more," Conti remarked to the AIFF.

The match against Bangladesh was intense, particularly in the first 30 minutes, where the Young Tigresses created several scoring opportunities. However, Bangladesh capitalized on their chances, scoring twice before halftime, leading to regrets over missed opportunities.

"I was particularly impressed with the first 30 minutes," Conti stated. "The team was compact and effective in recovering the ball. However, we need to maintain this intensity for the full 90 minutes to prevent the opposition from gaining confidence. Upon returning to India, we will focus on enhancing our physical, technical, and tactical training."

Long-Term Goals and Training Focus

With 10 days since Conti took charge, the team has approximately 12 weeks to prepare for the Asian Cup following the SAFF U19 Women's Championship. The Young Tigresses will discover their opponents during the group stage draw in Malaysia on February 12.

Conti emphasized the necessity of rigorous physical training before the continental event. "At this age, growth and development take precedence over immediate results. While winning is important, we must be realistic about our challenges, especially against teams that are physically stronger and older than us," she explained.

"Since our arrival, the players have engaged in minimal physical training. We are now training twice daily, and if necessary, we will increase to three sessions a day back in India. It’s crucial for them to understand the commitment required to become professionals," she added.

Looking Ahead to the Bhutan Match

The focus now shifts to the upcoming match against Bhutan, who have yet to score in the tournament after suffering defeats to Bangladesh (0-12) and Nepal (1-2).

"While their results may suggest an easy match, we must remain diligent and aim for victory to secure our place in the final," Conti stated.

"In Europe, we often say that football offers a chance for redemption, and I am eager for that opportunity. I dislike losing, but now is the time to train effectively for the match against Bhutan," she concluded.