Indian U17 Women's Team Shows Promise Despite Draws in Uzbekistan Friendlies

The Indian U17 women's football team recently played two friendly matches against Uzbekistan, ending in draws. Despite the lack of goals, the matches highlighted the team's defensive strength and areas needing improvement. Head coach Joakim Alexandersson praised the squad's performance while emphasizing the importance of refining their attacking strategies. As they prepare for the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup qualifiers, the Young Tigresses are focused on building team cohesion and enhancing their tactical intelligence. Upcoming friendly matches against the Philippines will further aid their preparation.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 2, 2026, 19:20 IST

Match Overview

The Indian U17 women's football team concluded their friendly matches against Uzbekistan with a scoreless draw in both encounters last week. While the results may seem uneventful at first glance, the trip to Tashkent was filled with significant developments for the Young Tigresses.

Although no goals were scored at the UFA National Football Centre, head coach Joakim Alexandersson noted that the scorelines did not accurately reflect India's overall dominance during the matches. According to a press release from the football federation, these friendlies served as a crucial preparation for the upcoming AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers, scheduled for October 5 to 11 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Alexandersson remarked, "The scoreline reflects our performances quite well. We were the dominant team in both matches, but our passing and combinations in the final third were lacking, which limited our scoring opportunities."

Defensive Strength

A highlight of the matches was India's solid defensive performance. Over the course of 180 minutes, the team effectively neutralized Uzbekistan's offensive efforts. Alexandersson expressed satisfaction with the defensive unit's coordination and aggression, stating, "Our defensive performance was very much in line with what I want from the team. We appeared well-synchronized and displayed the level of intensity I have emphasized in training. It was encouraging to see most players maintain the expected style of play and intensity."

Identifying Improvement Areas

Despite the strong defense, the coach identified areas needing improvement. He mentioned, "We created several good half-chances and a few clear-cut opportunities in both matches, which typically would be enough to secure a win. While our defense was solid and we did not concede significant chances, we still need to refine our timing for runs into the box during crosses or cutbacks. Additionally, we must work on maintaining composure in front of goal when facing defensive pressure."

Preparing for Future Challenges

The experience gained from playing in away conditions was invaluable for the team's physical and mental readiness. Alexandersson noted, "It was important for our attacking players to gain playing time and understand their capabilities against international teams." Having previously led the U17 squad to a historic qualification for the 2026 Asian Cup, his goal for this cycle is to achieve consecutive qualifications for the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup for the first time.

Fostering Team Cohesion

Beyond tactical evaluations, Alexandersson emphasized the growing camaraderie within the team. He stated, "The most significant takeaway is that the girls genuinely enjoy being together, and we had a very positive few days as a group. From a footballing perspective, this group shows a strong desire to improve, and there is considerable talent. We need to enhance our tactical intelligence across the pitch, especially in the final third, to perform well in the near future."

Looking Ahead

The Young Tigresses returned to India on Monday to continue their training camp in Porvorim, Goa. Before heading to Malaysia, they are scheduled to face the Philippines in two friendly matches on September 26 and 29.