India’s Young Tigresses bow out after historic AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup campaign
India’s Young Tigresses suffered a 0-3 defeat to hosts China PR in the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup quarter-finals, ending their FIFA World Cup qualification hopes. Despite the loss, the team achieved India’s best-ever performance by reaching the last eight
Hyderabad: Tears flowed across one dugout at the Suzhou Sports Centre Stadium after the final whistle. Several Indian players dropped to the ground in disappointment, while others stood frozen in silence as coaches and teammates tried to console one another.
The Young Tigresses had come within one match of a historic FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualification, and the pain of seeing that dream slip away was visible on every face after the 0-3 quarter-final defeat to hosts China PR on Monday, according to an AIFF media release.
“It is hard for me to speak because we did not expect this result,” India centre-back Abhista Basnett said after the match.
“We came into the match with a different mentality, but football is like that sometimes. Still, I am happy and proud of the way we performed throughout the tournament and the unity we showed as a team. It is sad that we were just one step away from our dream, but I am really proud of this team.”
India’s campaign in the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2026 ultimately ended in the quarter-finals, but it still marked the country’s best-ever performance in the tournament. The Young Tigresses became the first Indian team to reach the quarter-finals at the U-17 women’s level.
For head coach Pamela Conti, the disappointment after the China match stemmed not only from the result but also from the manner in which the goals were conceded.
“It was a match where China was superior to us. They had more strength and deserved to win,” said Conti. “But what really frustrates me is that we conceded in the 45th minute and again in the 90th minute, when I had reminded the players to stay focused during the closing minutes of each half because concentration drops the most at this age. That is what disappointed me.”
China took the lead in the 38th minute before adding another through a stoppage-time penalty at the end of the first half. India battled hard after the break but conceded once more in the final minute of regulation time.
“I think we have to be proud of these players. Personally, I am very proud of the tournament we had. We played against three of the four semi-finalists, including China, at their home venue. Regardless, I carry these girls in my heart because they made me live through a truly beautiful experience in this tournament.”
India had returned to the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup after a gap of 21 years and scripted history by qualifying for the quarter-finals with a commanding 4-0 victory over Lebanon in the final group match. The result left them just one win away from becoming the first Indian women’s team to qualify for a FIFA World Cup on merit.
Abhista reflected on the disappointment of falling short after reaching such a stage, while also acknowledging how far the team had come during the campaign.
“Yes, it is a huge achievement,” the 15-year-old said. “After so many years, we became the first batch to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup. As I said, I am very, very proud of this team. We worked together for a long time, and our bond became like a family. Now we are looking forward to our next journey and performing even better.”
Conti, who took charge of the team in January, emphasised that the tournament had given the players a crucial understanding of the level required to compete among Asia’s elite.
“What I told them in the dressing room after the game was that they now know the level in Asia and what it takes to compete here. They must continue working very hard because there is no other path to success apart from hard work.”
The Asian Football Confederation’s decision to convert the U-17 Asian Cups for both men and women from biennial events into annual tournaments has been widely welcomed. The move allows younger players to gain exposure to top-level continental competition while also offering an opportunity to qualify for the World Cup every year.
“Every year, they will have the opportunity to play against the best teams in Asia. This is a very young team, and they have a lot to offer. But the most important thing is that they now understand the level here,” Conti said.
For many players, the tournament also marked the end of a journey together that had lasted more than a year through SAFF competitions, international friendlies and prolonged national camps.
“We were all like one family and one group of friends,” Abhista reflected. “We shared so many good moments together. We have been together for more than a year now, through the SAFF tournaments, friendlies and this Asian Cup. So, it will be very hard for all of us to say goodbye.
“Representing the country on such a big stage after 21 years was already a very special feeling for me. I learned a lot from every match, not just from my own mistakes, but also by playing against teams like Japan, Australia and China. Those lessons will help me in the future.
“Off the pitch too, I learned about discipline, behaviour, communication and showing respect to everyone. Overall, this tournament was a great experience for me. We created history by reaching the quarter-finals, even though we were just one step away from our dream.”
And while the World Cup dream ended in Suzhou, the Young Tigresses believe this is only the beginning of a longer journey.
“Yes, it is not the end. Right now, we are focused on what comes next because we cannot change the past. We just want to keep working harder so that next time we can turn the dream into reality,” Abhista concluded.
