India U-17 Women rout Iraq 14-0 in AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2027 Qualifier in Selayang
India’s U-17 women defeated Iraq 14-0 at the MP Selayang Stadium in Selayang, Malaysia in their AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers opener on Monday, October 5, 2026. Anushka Kumari scored five times and was named Player of the Match.
The Group E fixture produced India’s largest margin of victory at this age level, surpassing previous 12-0 wins over UAE (2014) and Sri Lanka (2018). India went into the interval leading 7-0 after a dominant first half built on high work-rate, close marking and one-touch combination play.
Scorers in the opening 45 minutes were Anushka Kumari (9′, 12′, 39′), Thandamoni Baskey (14′), Silky Devi Sorokhaibam (21′, 30′) — the latter two being Silky’s first international goals — and Nira Chanu Longjam (42′), which left India 7-0 up at half-time.
Two minutes after the restart Anushka struck again, converting a cross from Alva Devi Senjam for her fourth of the night (47′). Substitute Pritika Barman made it 9-0 in the 50th minute by finishing a rebound off goalkeeper Asmaa Shivan Ahmed, and play was halted 64 minutes into the second half after lightning and thunder struck the area, resulting in a half-hour stoppage.
The match resumed after the weather delay and India quickly added further goals. Skipper and centre-back Abhista Basnett headed Ritu Badaik’s corner in the 70th minute and again from a Ritu corner in the 86th minute; Anushka placed home from just outside the box for her fifth at 71′; Joya Kabul Hasan finished from a Pritika cut-back at 79′; and Alva Devi Senjam headed in at 90+3 after a set-piece sequence involving Yashica Haribabu and Abhista.
Coach Joakim Alexandersson’s midfield was credited in the report with controlling the game through neat, compact play, disciplined marking and effective distribution that limited Iraq’s possession. Redima Devi Chingkhamayum, Thandamoni Baskey, Silky Devi Sorokhaibam and Alva Devi Senjam were noted for using width and supplying through passes, while the attackers Anushka and Nira finished the chances; the Iraq goalkeeper made a couple of smart saves during the match.
The full list of Indian goalscorers in the 14-0 victory was: Anushka Kumari 9′, 12′, 39′, 47′, 71′; Thandamoni Baskey 14′; Silky Devi Sorokhaibam 21′, 30′; Nira Chanu Longjam 42′; Pritika Barman 50′; Abhista Basnett 70′, 86′; Joya Kabul Hasan 79′; Alva Devi Senjam 90+3.
India’s next Group E fixtures are against Syria on October 8 at 13:00 IST and hosts Malaysia on October 11 at 18:30 IST; only the group winners will qualify for the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2027.