Captain Julan Nongmaithem scored a last-minute volley to secure a 2-1 win over Kyrgyz Republic in the opening match. “That victory gave us a good advantage heading into the last game,” Julan said, dedicating the goal to her late father. Kyrgyzstan later beat Uzbekistan 2-1, leaving India top of the group due to a superior head-to-head record.

Head coach Joakim Alexandersson admitted the team struggled in the build-up but praised their effective use of flanks and attacking moments. He expects Uzbekistan to fight hard and said, “We’ll aim for a win, play our own game, and not overthink scenarios.”

Alexandersson, who recently guided the U20s to AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup qualification, said U17 success would inspire more girls across India. He stressed that qualifying alongside the senior and U20 teams would mark a major milestone for Indian women’s football.

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India joins Group G with hosts Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. The team will play Kyrgyzstan on October 13 and face Uzbekistan on October 17 at Dolen Omurzakov Stadium. The group stage follows a single round-robin format.

Twenty-seven teams compete in eight groups. The group winners advance to the finals. They will join four automatically qualified teams — DPR Korea, Japan, Korea Republic, and China — forming a 12-team lineup. India seeks to qualify for the continental stage for the first time since 2005.

After winning the SAFF U17 Women’s Championship in Bhutan, the Young Tigresses trained in Bengaluru and Goa. They will reach Bishkek on October 7 to adjust to cooler weather. The squad includes goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and forwards. Alexandersson leads the team with assistant coach Nivetha Ramadoss. Dipankar Choudhury and Anugrah Suresh handle goalkeeping and conditioning.

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India began with a strong 3–0 victory over Bahrain but fell narrowly to hosts Qatar. With three points in hand, they remain in contention either as group winners or among the four best second-placed teams. Goal difference could play a decisive role, so scoring heavily against Brunei is vital.

Head coach Naushad Moosa urged his players to remain sharp, noting that Brunei conceded 23 goals in their first two matches. “We must stay focused for 90 minutes and aim to score as many goals as possible,” he said. Moosa praised his team’s spirited fight against Qatar and stressed the need for the same determination.

If India beat Brunei and Bahrain manage a narrow win over Qatar, India could top Group H. Otherwise, they must rely on results from other groups. A commanding performance in this final game may secure India’s historic qualification to the AFC U23 Asian Cup.

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