Young Tigresses Make History by Reaching AFC U17 Quarter-Finals

Historic Achievement for India's Young Tigresses

After the final whistle, Pamela Conti was quickly enveloped by her players. The Young Tigresses celebrated their groundbreaking achievement of reaching the quarter-finals of the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup for the first time, showering their head coach with hugs and chants, even attempting to lift her in joy.

In that emotional moment, tears welled up in the eyes of the Italian coach as the culmination of months of hard work and dedication became evident.

Having trained intensively for over three months, often with two sessions a day, their 4-0 triumph over Lebanon was more than just a victory; it secured India's position among Asia's top eight teams and brought the Young Tigresses one step closer to qualifying for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco 2026. This marks a historic moment as no Indian women's team has ever been so close to World Cup qualification based on merit.

Conti expressed her joy in an interview, stating, “This is an incredible achievement. Many doubted our potential, but I believed from the start that with the right training, we could accomplish this. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for these players who have followed our guidance from day one.”

The Young Tigresses showcased a commanding performance against Lebanon, attacking with confidence right from the start. Pritika Barman netted two goals, while Alva Devi Senjam and Joya contributed with the other goals in a dominant display.

Conti praised her team's intent throughout the match, saying, “We played exceptionally well. Honestly, a 4-0 scoreline feels narrow as we could have scored even more. What impressed me most was our determination to press high and continue seeking goals, along with our tactical organization.”

She emphasized that the primary goal was to qualify for the knockout stage, and she was thrilled with their success.

This achievement is a testament to the rigorous preparation under Conti, who took the helm in January and set high expectations from the outset.

“From day one, I told the players that hard work was essential,” Conti remarked. “I know no other way to achieve success.”

“No one complained or showed signs of fatigue. We trained diligently for nearly three and a half months, often twice daily, to reach this point.”

Returning to the tournament after a 21-year hiatus, India faced a challenging Group B alongside Australia, Japan, and Lebanon. Despite setbacks against the first two teams, the Young Tigresses made a strong comeback in their final group match.

“The most important aspect for me is that we have brought joy to India, a country that welcomed me warmly. Now we can proudly say we are among Asia's top eight teams. If someone had told me this a few months ago, I would have found it hard to believe,” Conti added.

India is set to face the host nation, China, in the quarter-finals on Monday, with a spot in the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup on the line. China topped Group A, scoring 15 goals without conceding any.

“China is a formidable opponent,” Conti acknowledged. “They possess many technically skilled players, are tactically sound, and will have the advantage of home support.”

However, the Young Tigresses’ coach assured that they would approach the match with the same confidence that has characterized their campaign thus far.

“We are aware of the challenge posed by China, but we will strive for World Cup qualification, understanding the difficulty ahead,” Conti stated.

“I have always said that we will compete with dignity against every team, and that is precisely what this team embodies. Playing with dignity adds an extra dimension, not just in football but in life.”

“We will go out there to play our game, make it challenging for them, and hopefully secure the World Cup qualification we all desire.”

The quarter-final clash between India and China is scheduled to kick off at 17:00 IST on May 11.