India U17 Women's Team Kicks Off AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Against Iraq

India's U17 Women's Team Begins Qualifiers

The Indian U17 women's football team is set to launch their campaign in the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers on Monday. They will face Iraq in their opening match of Group E at the MP Selayang Stadium located in Selayang, Malaysia. The team is eager to start their continental journey on a high note as they strive to qualify for consecutive AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cups for the first time, according to the AIFF.

In the previous edition of the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2026, the Young Tigresses made history by reaching the knockout stage for the first time. Although their journey ended with a 0-3 loss to the host nation in the quarter-finals, this marked India's best performance in the tournament's history.

Thorough Preparations for the Qualifiers

The Young Tigresses have been gearing up for the qualifiers since July, with 11 players from the previous squad returning to a 23-member team. Their training began in Bengaluru before they moved to Tashkent, where they played two closed-door friendlies against Uzbekistan, both resulting in goalless draws.

Upon returning to India, the team continued their preparations in Goa, where they faced the Philippines in two friendly matches. They experienced a 2-4 defeat in the first match but rebounded with a 2-0 victory in the second.

Coach's Insights: Team Development

Head coach Joakim Alexandersson is optimistic about the team's development, stating that the training camp and friendly matches have been instrumental in building the squad and establishing clear strategies for both offensive and defensive play. He mentioned, "We started with trials during the first three weeks, and then we have built the team step by step. Now everyone knows what we want to do in attack and how we want to be organized defensively. In recent weeks, we have focused more on technical quality and speed of play."

The extended preparation period has also fostered a strong sense of camaraderie among the players. Alexandersson emphasized the importance of communication, hard work, and mutual support throughout the training process.

Facing Iraq: A New Challenge

As they prepare to face Iraq, the team is entering uncharted territory, as there is limited footage available for analysis. Alexandersson anticipates a disciplined opponent that may attempt to counter-attack. He noted, "I don’t know much about this Iraqi team because there aren't any matches to analyze. However, previous Iraqi teams have typically played compactly and defensively, looking to create opportunities through counter-attacks."

Looking Ahead: Aiming for Success

After last year's historic campaign, the Young Tigresses are determined to secure another chance to compete at the continental level. Alexandersson remarked, "Qualifying again would mean a lot to us, as it would provide the players with the opportunity to compete against the best teams in Asia, and they could carry that experience into their future careers. It would also enhance the chances for future U17 teams to qualify in the coming years."