SELAYANG, MALAYSIA – The Indian U17 women’s national team signaled their intent for the upcoming AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup with a thunderous performance that will echo through the record books for years to come. In an awe-inspiring display of attacking football, the “Young Tigresses” demolished Iraq 14-0 at the MP Selayang Stadium on Monday, marking the largest margin of victory in the program’s history.
The win effectively erased previous benchmarks—the 12-0 victories over the UAE in 2014 and Sri Lanka in 2018—and served as a loud statement to the rest of Group E. Led by a spectacular five-goal haul from Anushka Kumari, India’s young stars dismantled a struggling Iraqi side with clinical efficiency, leaving no doubt about their superiority on the pitch.
A Masterclass in Tactical Dominance
From the opening whistle, the contest was entirely one-sided. Under the guidance of coach Joakim Alexandersson, the Indian side showcased a level of tactical maturity and physical conditioning that overwhelmed Iraq early on. The midfield acted as a well-oiled engine, dictating the tempo through crisp, one-touch passing and intelligent off-the-ball movement.
The width provided by Redima Devi Chingkhamayum and Thandamoni Baskey proved to be the undoing of the Iraqi defense. India’s ability to stretch the play horizontally opened up lanes in the center, which the attackers exploited with ruthless aggression. By the time the halftime whistle blew, the scoreboard read a staggering 7-0. Anushka Kumari had already netted twice, while Silky Devi Sorokhaibam—who celebrated her first international goals with a brace—along with Thandamoni and Nira Chanu Longjam, ensured the match was well beyond Iraq’s reach before the break.
Weather Interruption Fails to Stifle Momentum
The second half began with the same intensity. Anushka completed her fourth goal just two minutes into the restart, sweeping home a pinpoint delivery from Alva Devi Senjam. Shortly thereafter, substitute Pritika Barman joined the fray, capitalizing on a rebound to push the tally to 9-0.
However, the relentless pursuit of goals faced a temporary obstacle. In the 64th minute, extreme weather conditions—featuring lightning and thunder—forced match officials to pause play. While such interruptions often disrupt a team’s rhythm, the Young Tigresses returned from the 30-minute delay with renewed focus and a clear objective to make history.
A Record-Breaking Finish
The final half-hour of the match belonged to the captain, Abhista Basnett. The center-back, demonstrating remarkable composure and aerial dominance, rose highest to meet Ritu Badaik’s corner, heading home to put India into double digits.
Anushka Kumari then punctuated her Player of the Match performance by netting her fifth goal, a clinical strike from just outside the penalty area that left the keeper stranded. With the score at 12-0, the team had already equaled their previous record; but they were not finished yet.
Joya added the 12th goal into an empty net after a selfless play by Pritika, and moments later, it was Abhista Basnett again, nodding in another corner from Badaik to officially claim the record for the biggest-ever win. In a fitting end to the proceedings, Alva Devi Senjam headed home a final goal in added time following a goal-mouth scramble created by a thunderous Yashica Haribabu free-kick.
The Road to China 2027
The clinical 14-0 rout is more than just a confidence booster; it is a vital step toward the ultimate goal of qualifying for the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2027. Only the group winners are guaranteed a path forward, and by securing such a massive goal difference, India has given itself a significant cushion heading into the final stages of the qualifying group.
The focus now shifts toward the next two tests. India is scheduled to face Syria on October 8 at 1:00 PM IST, followed by a high-stakes showdown against the host nation, Malaysia, on October 11 at 6:30 PM IST.
If Monday’s performance is any indication of the squad’s potential, the Young Tigresses are well-positioned to remain the team to beat in Group E. Coach Alexandersson will undoubtedly look to maintain this momentum as the squad prepares to face more defensive-minded opponents, but for one afternoon in Selayang, India’s youth stars proved they possess both the skill and the killer instinct required to compete on the continental stage.
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