India on verge of historic World Cup qualification after storming into AFC U-17 Women's Asian Cup quarter-finals

Pritika Barman led the way with a brace as India stormed into the quarter-finals of the AFC U-17 Women's Asian Cup in China after thrashing Lebanon 4-0 in their final Group B fixture at the Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Centre Pitch on Friday. In addition to Pritika starring for the Young Tigresses with a brace, Alva Devi Senjam and Joya also found the net as India registered their first win and first goals in the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup since 2005.

It marked India’s first-ever qualification to the knockout stage at the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup. It also marks India’s first knockout-stage appearance in any Asian Cup since the men's AFC U-16 Championship 2018, where the Blue Colts reached the quarter-finals.

In women’s football, it is India’s first Asian Cup knockout stage appearance since the AFC U-19 Women’s Championship 2004, when the team also reached the quarter-finals.

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In the quarter-final, India will face hosts China, who topped Group A with nine points, at the Suzhou Sports Centre Stadium on Monday, May 11, at 17:00 IST. The match will be streamed live on the AFC Asian Cup YouTube Channel.

India made the last eight as one of the two best third-placed teams alongside Thailand. India finished the group stage with three points and a goal difference of -1, significantly higher than Philippines' -13 in Group C.

A win in the quarter-final would secure qualification for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Morocco 2026, which would be India's first FIFA World Cup qualification on merit at any level, men's or women's.

Knowing only a win would keep their qualification hopes alive, India, who made only one change from their last game, with Anushka Kumari replacing Pearl Fernandes, began with intent and took the lead as early as the sixth minute.

Divyani Linda launched a long ball forward from right-back, which Pritika controlled brilliantly before twisting past Lebanon defender Joya Bou Assaf. The winger then unleashed a superb left-footed strike beyond goalkeeper Marie Joe Chebly to hand India the perfect start.

The early breakthrough settled the Young Tigresses, who quickly established control of proceedings with confident passing and aggressive pressing in the attacking third.

India nearly doubled their lead moments later when Anushka found space inside the box, but her effort was well saved by Marie. Pritika continued to trouble the Lebanese defence and came close to grabbing her second in the 16th minute, only to be denied again by the goalkeeper.

Lebanon struggled to cope with India’s movement in wide areas, while the Indian midfield maintained pressure through quick transitions and intelligent positioning.

The second goal finally arrived in the 35th minute. Redima Devi Chingkhamayum threaded a pass towards Alva Devi Senjam at the edge of the box, and the forward surged past Gianna Frangieh before calmly slotting the ball beyond the advancing goalkeeper to give India a deserved 2-0 advantage at half-time.

India resumed the second half with the same attacking intensity and continued to push Lebanon deeper into their own half. The Young Tigresses controlled possession for long spells and looked dangerous whenever they advanced through the flanks.

Their dominance was rewarded again in the 72nd minute through a moment of individual brilliance from Joya. Receiving the ball on the left wing, the substitute displayed excellent close control before cutting inside, skipping past two defenders and curling a fine right-footed strike into the net to make it 3-0.

India sealed an outstanding performance five minutes from time as Pritika completed her brace. Breaking forward from the right wing, she drove into the penalty area unchallenged before calmly finishing past Marie to put the result beyond doubt.

The final whistle confirmed a historic evening for the Young Tigresses, who secured their first victory in the competition in over two decades.

India U17 Women: Munni (GK), Elizabed Lakra (C) (Alena Devi Sarangthem 85'), Divyani Linda, Thandamoni Baskey (Bonifilia Shullai 75'), Julan Nongmaithem (Joya 58'), Anushka Kumari (Olivia Chanu Ningthoujam 75'), Ritu Badaik, Pritika Barman, Redima Devi Chingkhamayum, Abhista Basnett, Alva Devi Senjam (Pearl Fernandes 75')