India U17 face Syria U17 at MP Selayang Stadium in AFC U-17 Women's Asian Cup 2027 qualifier
India U17 and Syria U17 meet on Thursday, 8 October 2026 at the MP Selayang Stadium in Selayang, Malaysia in their second game of the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers, with kick-off scheduled for 1:30 PM IST. India arrive on the back of a 14-0 victory over Iraq U17 and seek to extend their strong start while Syria aim to disrupt that momentum.
The qualifiers are being held in Malaysia from October 5 to 11 and, according to a team announcement, "India U17 women’s team head coach Joakim Alexandersson announces the squad for the AFC U17 Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers, which will be held in Malaysia from October 5 to 11. The side will reach Kuala Lumpur on October 2.#IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/livQr1mMxp". India recorded a 14-0 win in their opening fixture against Iraq U17, while Syria held Malaysia U17 to a one-goal game in their previous match.
India’s coach has urged the players to remain motivated and to play their natural game, with an emphasis on quick, incisive attacking moves and clinical finishing to secure another large-margin win. The India squad named for the qualifiers includes Munni (GK), Taniya Devi, Ritu Badaik, Abhista Basnett, Julan Nongmaithem, Thandamoni Baskey, Alva Devi, Pratika Barman, Silky Devi, Nira Chanu and Anushka Kumari.
Anushka Kumari scored five goals in India’s opening fixture, netting a first-half hat-trick and two further goals in the second half to complete her haul, and India will rely on her to continue converting chances in the final third. The coaching staff want Kumari to retain her positioning and to repeatedly occupy key spaces to finish opportunities created by the team’s attacking play.
Syria arrive off a recent regional title, having won the WAFF U17 Girls’ Championship, and they have yet to qualify for an AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup. Their approach in this fixture will focus on maintaining a compact defensive shape and covering spaces quickly, while taking any major chances that present themselves.
Match preparation notes in the preview indicate Joachim Alexandersson will look to keep his players motivated and that both sides are expected to field fully fit squads; India are likely to use the same personnel that faced Iraq U17. This encounter is the first-ever meeting between the India U17 women and Syria U17 women.
A positive result for Syria—a win or a draw—would improve their standing in the group, whereas another defeat would end their pursuit of AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup qualification; for India, a commanding victory would build momentum ahead of their decisive clash against Malaysia U17.