2 hrs ago
India U17 Women Need Draw Against Malaysia to Qualify
India's under-17 women's football team is playing Malaysia in an important match on Sunday.
Both teams have won their first two games.
India has scored many more goals, so a draw is enough for India to qualify.
Malaysia needs to win to take the qualifying place.
India's coach says the team will still try to win, not just defend for a draw.
Anushka Kumari has scored seven goals in the qualifying matches.
If India qualifies, it will be the country's first team to reach two Women's Asian Cups in a row in any age group.
India face hosts Malaysia on Sunday in the final Group E qualifier for the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup China 2027.
Both teams have six points after winning their first two matches without conceding; India lead on goal difference, 16 goals to Malaysia's five.
India need only avoid defeat to qualify as group winners, while Malaysia must win to claim the group's sole qualifying spot.
Coach Joakim Alexandersson says India will pursue a win while balancing their attack, rather than playing specifically for a draw.
Anushka Kumari has scored seven goals; qualification would make India the first Indian team to reach back-to-back Women's Asian Cups in any age category.
- Who
- India's U17 women's team and hosts Malaysia.
- What
- A final Group E qualifier for the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup China 2027; India need a draw or win, while Malaysia must win.
- Where
- Malaysia.
- When
- Sunday; the article does not give a calendar date.
- Why
- The match decides which team wins Group E's sole qualifying place for the tournament.
India
Malaysia
Qualification requirement
India
India qualify as group winners with a draw or a win, thanks to their superior goal difference.
Malaysia
Malaysia must win to overtake India and secure the group's qualifying spot.
Key facts
- Teams' points
- India and Malaysia each have six points after two matches.
- Goals scored
- India have scored 16 goals; Malaysia have scored five.
- India's opening results
- India beat Iraq 14-0 and Syria 2-0.
- Malaysia's opening results
- Malaysia beat Syria 1-0 and Iraq 4-0.
- Qualification stakes
- Only the eight group winners advance from the qualifiers.
- India's top scorer
- Anushka Kumari has scored seven goals in the qualifiers.
- Returning players
- Thirteen players from India's previous U17 cycle are in the squad.
Quotes
Joakim Alexandersson
Coach of India's U17 women's football team
“We have to go into the game trying to win. With young players, it is difficult to tell them that a draw will be enough. We will try to win the game, but at the same time, we have to attack with a little more sense and find the right balance.”
rediff.com
Anushka Kumari
India U17 forward and the team's leading qualifier scorer
“It feels very good to score seven goals, but it is not only about me. My teammates are creating the chances and giving me the passes, and I am trying to convert them. It is a team effort. We have all been working very hard, and I am very thankful to the team and to the coach for their support.”
rediff.com
Sources
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