India U17 Women's Team Unveils Squad for SAFF Championship 2025
India's U17 Women's Team Prepares for SAFF Championship
On August 17, the head coach of India's U17 women's football team, Joakim Alexandersson, announced a 23-member squad for the upcoming SAFF U17 Women’s Championship, set to take place in Bhutan from August 20 to 31, according to the AIFF website.
Alexandersson, who recently led the U20 team to their first AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup qualification in 20 years, is now focused on guiding the U17 squad as they prepare for the SAFF championship, which serves as a precursor to the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers scheduled for October in Kyrgyz Republic.
This year's SAFF U17 Women’s Championship introduces a new format aimed at increasing playing time for the athletes. The tournament will feature four teams—India, Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh—competing in a double round-robin format. Each team will play a total of six matches, with the team accumulating the highest points being declared the champion.
The Young Tigresses will kick off their campaign against Nepal on August 20, followed by matches against Bangladesh on August 22, Bhutan on August 24 and 27, and concluding with another match against Nepal on August 29, and Bangladesh on August 31. All games will be held at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu and will be available for live streaming on the Sportzworkz YouTube Channel.
Here is the complete 23-member squad for the SAFF U17 Women’s Championship, Bhutan 2025:
Goalkeepers: Munni, Surajmuni Kumari, Tamphasana Devi Konjengbam.
Defenders: Alena Devi Sarangthem, Alisha Lyngdoh, Binita Horo, Divyani Linda, Elizabed Lakra, Priya, Ritu Badaik, Taniya Devi Tonambam.
Midfielders: Abhista Basnett, Anita Dungdung, Beena Kumari, Bonifilia Shullai, Julan Nongmaithem, Pritika Barman, Shveta Rani, Thandamoni Baskey.
Forwards: Anushka Kumari, Nira Chanu Longjam, Pearl Fernandes, Valaina Jada Fernandes.
Head Coach: Joakim Alexandersson
Assistant Coach: Nivetha Ramadoss
Goalkeeper Coach: Dipankar Choudhury
Strength and Conditioning Coach: Saifulla
India's Match Schedule at the SAFF U17 Women’s Championship (All times in IST):
August 20: Nepal vs India (14:30)
August 22: India vs Bangladesh (14:30)
August 24: Bhutan vs India (14:30)
August 27: India vs Bhutan (17:30)
August 29: India vs Nepal (17:30)
August 31: Bangladesh vs India (14:30).