Shillong, Oct 2: India U-17 women’s national team head coach Joakim Alexandersson has announced his 23-player squad for the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2027 qualifiers, which will be held in Malaysia from 5th to 11th October.
With 11 players from the previous edition’s squad returning, the Young Tigresses will aim to secure back-to-back AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup qualifications for the first time. India went out in the quarterfinals of the 2026 iteration.
Included in the travelling Indian contingent is Meghalaya’s Bonifilia Shullai, who was also a member of the U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 team.
India have been placed in Group E and will begin their campaign against Iraq on 5th October. The Young Tigresses will face Syria on 8th October before taking on hosts Malaysia three days later. Only the group winners will qualify for the final tournament. All matches will be played at the MP Selayang Stadium in Selayang, with the team scheduled to arrive in Kuala Lumpur today.
The Young Tigresses began their preparatory camp in Bengaluru in July, followed by a Tashkent trip last month, where they played two friendlies — both goalless draws — against Uzbekistan. Returning to India, they continued their preparations in Goa and hosted two closed-door friendlies against Philippines, recording a 4-2 defeat and a 2-0 victory.
Alexandersson said, “We have had very good preparations here in Goa, with a very good grass pitch and a good stay. The games against the Philippines gave us a good picture of how we should start our qualifiers. They were a good opponent who really tested us in how we want to play.”
India squad:
Goalkeepers: Munni, Sanatombi Devi Irengbam, Sonam Ghosh
Defenders: Abhista Basnett, Ambalika Chanu Khudongbam, Daina Devi Konthoujam, Joyshini Chanu Huidrom, Ritu Badaik, Taniya Devi Tonambam
Midfielders: Alva Devi Senjam, Bonifilia Shullai, Julan Nongmaithem, Monika Devi Wairokpam, Pritika Barman, Redima Devi Chingkhamayum, Silky Devi Sorokhaibam, Thandamoni Baskey, Yashica Haribabu
Forwards: Anushka Kumari, Deepika Kumari, Joya, Nidhi, Nira Chanu Longjam
Head coach: Joakim Alexandersson
Assistant coach: Anthony Andrews and Nivetha Ramadoss
Goalkeeping coach: Fysal K Bapu
India’s schedule:
5th October vs Iraq, 1:30PM India time
8th October vs Syria, 1:30PM India time
11th October vs Malaysia, 6:30PM India time
(File photo)
