India top Group E after 2-0 win over Syria; Malaysia claim 1-0 victory

India defeated Syria 2-0 in Selayang on 8 October 2026 in Group E of the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers, moving to the top of the group.

The qualifying competition will determine places for the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2027, which China will host, and Joakim Alexandersson’s Young Tigresses have begun the group stage strongly. Alexandersson’s squad has shown promise from the tournament’s start and is competing in a four-team Group E hosted in Selayang.

In the second game for India, Anushka Kumari scored a brace in the 5th & 54th minutes to secure the 2-0 victory over Syria. The number eight-wearing forward added both goals as India completed a second successive win in the group.

Anushka’s output in the qualifiers includes a five-goal haul against Iraq in India’s opening match, bringing her tournament total to seven goals. Her scoring has been a major factor in India’s attacking numbers through two fixtures.

Malaysia, hosts of Group E, won their opening match 1-0 against Syria courtesy of a 79th-minute winner by the substituted Qaseh Riana. Malaysia will meet Iraq next in the group.

Iraq sit at the bottom of the Group E table after conceding 14 goals to India; the report states that a loss will knock them out of the competition. India have scored 16 goals and conceded none in their two matches, giving them a goal difference of +16 and six points from two games.

India are scheduled to face Malaysia in the final Group E fixture on 11th October, 2026, from 18:30 IST; the match is described as the key game that might decide whether Joakim Alexandersson’s squad makes it to the main round or not.