Selayang, October 8, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India’s U-17 women’s football team moved closer to qualification for the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2027 with a 2-0 victory over Syria in their second Group E match at the MP Selayang Stadium on Thursday.
Anushka Kumari scored once in each half to take her tournament tally to seven goals after two matches. She had struck five times in India’s 14-0 win over Iraq in their opening fixture.
The victory gave India six points from two matches ahead of their final Group E game against hosts Malaysia on October 11. Only the group winners will qualify for the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2027.
Head coach Joakim Alexandersson retained the starting XI that defeated Iraq and saw his team dominate possession and territory from the outset.
India took the lead in the sixth minute. After Syria’s Bayab Jomaa Ato brought down Silky Devi Sorokhaibam outside the penalty area, Redima Devi Chingkhamayum delivered the free-kick into the box. The clearance fell to Anushka, who shifted left before producing a left-footed lob into the far top corner.
India continued to control the game, with Redima, Thandamoni Baskey and Alva Devi Senjam repeatedly troubling the Syrian defence. Captain Abhista Basnett and Julan Nongmaithem also came close from set-piece situations, while Syria goalkeeper Media Housain made several important interventions.
Anushka nearly doubled the lead before the interval, but after Housain failed to hold her effort, Syria captain Arin Assad cleared the attempted chip off the line.
India eventually extended their advantage nine minutes into the second half. Following a failed Syrian clearance after Alva was stopped inside the box, Anushka collected the loose ball and fired a right-footed shot into the near post for her seventh goal of the qualifiers.
Play was briefly suspended in the 58th minute because of an approaching thunderstorm, as had happened during India’s opening match against Iraq. The game resumed after nearly 30 minutes, with rain continuing under the Selayang floodlights.
India remained on the offensive but could not add another goal. Anushka missed a chance to complete her hat-trick when she fired over from close range after substitute Pritika Barman had squared the ball across the area.
Syria defended in numbers during the closing stages and limited further damage, while India secured their second consecutive victory and clean sheet.
India will face hosts Malaysia at 6:30 pm IST on October 11 in their final Group E match, with qualification for the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2027 at stake.
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