New Delhi, 01 October (H.S.): India U-17 women’s national football team head coach Joakim Alexandersson has announced a 23-member squad for the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2027 qualifiers, scheduled to be held in Malaysia from October 5 to 11.

According to the All India Football Federation (AIFF), 11 players from India’s squad at the previous edition have retained their places. The Indian team will aim to qualify for the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup for a second consecutive time.

India have been placed in Group E and will begin their campaign against Iraq on October 5. They will then face Syria on October 8 before taking on hosts Malaysia on October 11. Only the group winners will qualify for the final tournament. All three matches will be played at the MP Selangor Stadium in Selangor. The Indian team is scheduled to arrive in Kuala Lumpur on October 2.

The team began its preparation camp in Bengaluru in July before travelling to Tashkent last month, where it played two friendly matches against Uzbekistan. Both games ended in goalless draws.

After returning to India, the team continued its preparations in Goa and played two closed-door friendly matches against the Philippines. India lost the first game 2-4 before securing a 2-0 victory in the second.

Head coach Joakim Alexandersson said the team had made good progress during its preparations in Goa and that the matches against the Philippines had provided valuable insight into the approach required for the qualifiers.

“Our preparations in Goa have been very good. We had a very good grass pitch and our stay here has also been positive. The matches against the Philippines helped us understand how we need to approach the start of the qualifiers. They were a good opponent and tested our style of play well,” Alexandersson said.

India’s 23-member squad:

Goalkeepers: Munni, Sanatombi Devi Irengbam, Sonam Ghosh

Defenders: Abhista Basnet, Ambalika Chanu Khudongbam, Daina Devi Konthoujam, Joyshini Chanu Huidrom, Ritu Badaik, Tania Devi Tonambam

Midfielders: Alva Devi Senjam, Bonifilia Shullai, Julan Nongmaithem, Monika Devi Wairakpam, Pritika Barman, Redima Devi Chingkhamayum, Silky Devi Sorokhaibam, Thandamoni Baskey, Yashika Haribabu

Forwards: Anushka Kumari, Deepika Kumari, Zoya, Nidhi, Neera Chanu Longjam

Head Coach: Joakim Alexandersson

Assistant Coaches: Anthony Andrews and Nivetha Ramadas

Goalkeeping Coach: Faisal K. Bapu

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar