Shillong, Feb 5: Meghalaya’s Ribansi Jamu has been included in the India U-20 women’s squad that has travelled to Sweden for a month-long preparatory camp ahead of the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026, which will be held in April.
Head coach Joakim Alexandersson has announced a 24-member travelling squad, with Ribansi being one of three goalkeepers.
The Young Tigresses, who had been camping at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru for almost a month, departed for Stockholm on Thursday morning.
India will face Japan (2nd April), Australia (5th April) and Chinese Taipei aka Taiwan (8th April) in Group C of the continental event in Thailand.
Ribansi was part of the squad that made it through the U-20 Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers in August, though she supported the team from the bench. She has been regularly selected for the U-20 squad by Alexandersson but goalkeeping duties are almost always entrusted to Monalisha Devi Moirangthem, the favoured keeper who has even represented the senior women’s team.
However, Ribansi did get some game time in Indian colours when the team travelled to Kazakhstan in October for a couple of friendlies. The month before that, she represented Meghalaya at the Senior Women’s National Football Championship 2025-26, playing two matches.
India squad:
Goalkeepers: Monalisha Devi Moirangthem, Nandini, Ribansi Jamu
Defenders: Cindy Remruatpuii Colney, Nishima Kumari, Remi Thokchom, Ruchi, Sahena TH, Shubhangi Singh, Thoibisana Chanu Toijam
Midfielders: Anju Chanu Kayenpaibam, Arina Devi Nameirakpam, Bhumika Devi Khumukcham, Misha Bhandari, Monisha Singha, Neha, Pooja, Shruti Kumari
Forwards: Babita Kumari, Deepika Pal, Lhingdeikim, Shilji Shaji, Sibani Devi Nongmeikapam, Sulanjana Raul
Support staff: Joakim Alexandersson (head coach), Paromita Sit (assistant coach), Hameed KK (goalkeeping coach), José Carlos Barroso (strength and conditioning coach)
(File photo)
