India reached AFC Under-20 Women's Asia Cup aft

The Indian team defeated host Myanmar 1-0 in the final qualifying match. The Indian Under-20 women’s football team created history on Sunday.

The Indian team qualified for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup after two decades by defeating host Myanmar 1-0 in the final qualifying match. Earlier, India had qualified for this tournament in 2006. Pooja scored the only goal in this match. India topped the group with seven points and made it to the tournament to be held in Thailand in 2026.

The India U20 women’s team are on the cusp of ending a 20-year wait to qualify for the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup, standing just one win away from booking their tickets to the 2026 tournament in Thailand.

The Young Tigresses will meet hosts Myanmar in their third and final qualifying match in Group D on Sunday, August 10, 2025, at 15:00 IST. The match will be streamed live on the Indian Football YouTube Channel.

The Indian team looked aggressive from the beginning of the match. In the third minute, Nehra and Shibani Devi Nongmeinkpam threatened the Myanmar goalpost, but the ball did not reach the net. At the same time, Myanmar also made some fast counter attacks. In the ninth minute, their forward player Su Su Khin reached close to the goal but the Indian defense line stopped her.

The decisive moment for India came in the 27th minute when Pooja gave India the lead. Unani herself started the counter attack from the right flank and moved the ball forward. The ball reached Neha who sent it back to Pooja in a high pass. By then Pooja had reached close to the goalpost and put the ball across the goal line to make the score 1-0. This goal brought relief to the Indian players and support staff, and the team maintained this lead till the first half. In the second half, Myanmar played faster, inspired by the enthusiasm of the home supporters. In the 48th minute, goalkeeper Monalisha Devi saved India’s lead by brilliantly stopping Susu Khin’s powerful shot. Myanmar intensified the attacks, but the Indian defense faced them strongly. The most exciting moment of the match came in the 80th minute, when Myanmar’s substitute player Mi Wint Pyew made a play. AIFF will give Rs 21 lakh

After the Indian women’s football team qualified, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) helped the team by giving them $25,000.

The header hit the post and started rolling on the goal line. Then Monalisa jumped quickly and took the ball out safely. In the 10th minute too, Phyu hit a shot, which hit Shubhangi and went out of the post.

Amidst this pressure, India also retaliated. A few seconds later, Shibani gave a cross from the right, on which Sulanjana Raul headed, but the ball hit the crossbar and the opportunity to increase the score was missed. Myanmar put in all its strength in the last minutes, but the Indian players maintained the lead by showing excellent patience, fitness and defensive skills.

A cash incentive of Rs. 21 lakh has been announced. The AIFF has attributed the team’s achievement to the cooperation and continuous developmental efforts of the Sports Authority of India.

With the final whistle of the referee, the Indian team and coaching staff erupted in joy. With this victory, India not only made it to the main stage of this tournament after two decades, but also proved that young players have the ability and passion to play on the big stage. After 2006, this achievement is a new milestone for Indian women’s football, which raises hopes of even greater heights in the future.

India U20 Women: Monalisha Devi Moirangthem (GK), Remi Thokchom, Thoibisana Chanu Toijam, Arina Devi Nameirakpam (Bhumika Devi Khumukcham 55′), Neha (Deepika Pal 69′), Pooja, Sibani Devi Nongmeikapam, Shubhangi Singh (C), Anju Chanu Kayenpaibam (Babita Kumari 90+1′), Cindy Remruatpuii Colney, Sulanjana Raul (Nishima Kumari 90+1′).

India currently sit at the top of the four-team Group D table with four points after a goalless draw with Indonesia and a 7-0 win over Turkmenistan. Myanmar too have four points. The hosts defeated Turkmenistan 6-1 and were held 2-2 by Indonesia. A win will guarantee top spot and qualification for India.

If it’s a draw with Myanmar, the Young Tigresses will have to wait for the result of the second match between Indonesia and Turkmenistan at 18:00 IST. Should Indonesia fail to win, India will qualify. But if Indonesia win, India will be out of contention to qualify. In that case, the top three teams will be level on five points, bringing the head-to-head criteria into play, where India cannot be ranked at the top, having scored fewer goals in the matches among the three teams.

And now, Myanmar is the final hurdle before realising that dream. Sharing his thoughts on the opponents, Alexandersson added, “Myanmar have been quite aggressive with their high line so far in the qualifiers. Whether they’ll do the same against us, I’m not entirely sure yet. We’ll see. But we’ll be prepared for every scenario. We have multiple plans ready. We’re going into this game with good confidence.”