Head coach Priya PV named a 23-member squad of the India U17 Women's squad for the Women's U17 AFC Asian Cup Qualifier Round 1 to be played in the Kyrgyz Republic from April 24. India are placed in Group F with hosts Kyrgyz Republic and Myanmar. The group winners, a total of eight teams, will advance to the second round. In the second round, the two group winners and the two group runners-up qualify for the final tournament to join the four automatically qualified teams.
Preparation
India U17 Women's team began preparation for the U17 AFC Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers back in February registering two huge wins in the friendlies against Jordan U17 Women’s team with a combined score of 13-0. Forward Shilji Shaji scored eight goals with four in each game and also ended as the top scorer in the following SAFF U17 Women’s Championship by hitting 9 goals. India had a disappointing outing in the tournament finishing third behind hosts Bangladesh and winners Russia who were the invited nation. The Young Tigresses started on a bright note defeating Nepal 4-1 with Shilji scoring a hat trick but then went down 1-0 against the hosts in the second game. After thumping Bhutan 9-0, India went down 2-0 against Russia in the final match. Since then they have been camped in Indore. The team has been training and staying at the facilities of the Emerald Heights International School in the city.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Sarangthem Khambi Chanu, Anisha Oraon, Khushi Kumari.
Defenders: Yendrembam Thoi Thoi Devi, Toijam Thoibisana Chanu, Heena Khatun, Vikshit Bara, Juhi Singh, Akhila Rajan, Arya Anilkumar, Irom Sonibia Devi.
Midfielders: Nongmeikapam Shibani Devi, Lourembam Menaka Devi, Shivani Toppo, Babita Kumari, Cindy Remruatpuii Colney, Shveta Rani, Sulanjana Raul, Remi Thokchom, Lalita Boypai.
Forwards: Kajal Kumari, Shilji Shaji, Pooja.
Head coach: Priya PV
Opponents & Fixtures
India vs Kyrgyz Republic - April 26, 2023
India vs Myanmar - April 28, 2023
