India's U17 Women's Team Makes History with AFC Quarter-Final Qualification

Historic Achievement for India in AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup

Suzhou, China - On May 8, India's U17 women's football team achieved a remarkable milestone by securing a spot in the quarter-finals of the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup 2026. This historic qualification was marked by a dominant 4-0 victory over Lebanon at the Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Centre Pitch 8. Key players Pritika Barman, Alva Devi Senjam, and Joya shared their thoughts on this significant achievement, which marks India's first-ever appearance in the knockout stage of the tournament.

Pritika Barman, who scored both the opening and final goals of the match, expressed her excitement, stating, "It feels amazing. I scored two goals, and we played exceptionally well. We knew we had to win, and everyone gave their all. Our efforts paid off with the goals we scored."

Before the match, the team understood that only a win would keep their hopes alive for advancing as one of the best third-placed teams. The Young Tigresses responded with an impressive offensive display, marking their first goals in the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup since 2005.

Pritika opened the scoring within the first seven minutes with a stunning individual effort and later added the fourth goal in the second half. She shared, "We have team meetings every night, and I was determined to score the first goal. After I did, I aimed to score even more."

Alva Devi Senjam, who scored the second goal before halftime, highlighted the confidence within the team and the support from head coach Pamela Conti. "I felt very excited today because the coaches were cheering us on throughout the game. I had a shaky start but believed I would score, and that belief helped me find the net," she said.

Alva's journey has been rapid; she made her international debut earlier this year at the SAFF U19 Women's Championship in Nepal and has since become a key player under Conti. "It feels special because the coach trusts me a lot," she noted, reflecting on her growth.

Substitute forward Joya also made her mark with a spectacular solo goal in the 72nd minute, showcasing her skills by weaving past defenders. "It felt great to come on and make an impact right away. The team supported me, and I was determined to score whenever I got the chance," Joya said.

Joya dedicated her goal to her family, especially her mother, who has been a constant source of motivation. "My mom always encourages me, reminding me that I reached this level through hard work. She told me to believe in myself and not to compare myself to others," Joya explained.

The players celebrated their victory with emotional scenes on the pitch, hugging each other and their coaching staff. Alva remarked, "The mood is fantastic because we won by a significant margin. We are excited for the quarter-final against China and will work even harder to prove we belong here."

India is set to face China in the quarter-finals on May 11 at 17:00 IST, with the match available for live streaming on the AFC Asian Cup YouTube Channel.