On a humid Yangon evening in August 2025, amidst deafening chants and the glare of stadium floodlights, India’s under-20 women’s team scripted history. After a barren stretch of 19 years, the Young Tigresses roared back into continental relevance, qualifying unbeaten for the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026. It was not just qualification it was a statement: of grit, grace, and goals.
Match 1: India 0-0 Indonesia
India opened their campaign with a goalless draw against Indonesia. It was a performance built on defensive solidity rather than flair, but it set the tone. The message was clear: they would not be broken down easily.
Match 2: India 7-0 Turkmenistan
The floodgates opened in the second match. Captain Shubhangi Singh led from the front with a brace (7′, 42′), while Sulanjana Raul matched her with two of her own (38′, 90+4′). Goals from Sibani Devi Nongmeikapam (14′), Thoibisana Chanu Toijam (35′), and Pooja (65′) made it a rout. India not only took command of Group D but did so with swagger, boasting a +7 goal difference.
Match 3: India 1-0 Myanmar
The defining contest came in front of a capacity crowd at Yangon’s Thuwunna Stadium. Against the hosts, it was a battle of nerves and resolve. In the 27th minute, Pooja bundled home a cross with her torso, an instinctive finish that silenced the crowd and ignited Indian celebrations. From then on, it was backs-to-the-wall defending. Goalkeeper Monalisha Devi produced the save of the tournament in the 48th minute, diving full stretch to deny Myanmar an equaliser. India’s defense stood tall under relentless pressure, sealing a famous victory.
A Campaign Built on Clarity and Courage
India’s record was as pristine as it was impressive:
- Unbeaten across all matches
- No goals conceded
- Top of Group D
With this, India booked their ticket to Thailand for the 2026 AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup, marking their first qualification since 2006. Nineteen years of waiting ended in a campaign that was as clinical as it was inspiring. The triumph was not a coincidence but the result of long-term investment. Since December 2024, the squad had been in camp for 135 days, undergoing rigorous training and tactical drilling. Grassroots initiatives like the ASMITA Women’s Leagues had begun to bear fruit, creating a talent pipeline that fed directly into this team.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) recognized the achievement with a USD 25,000 reward, a tangible token of faith and appreciation. But beyond the financial reward, it was validation proof that the federation’s renewed commitment to women’s football was beginning to show results on the pitch.
Faces of the Triumph
This qualification was not just about goals and clean sheets; it was about the personalities that defined the campaign.
- Shubhangi Singh, the captain, led by example her composure in midfield and ability to inspire teammates made her the heartbeat of the side.
- Pooja, scorer of the decisive goal against Myanmar, embodied calm under pressure. She didn’t seek the spotlight, but when the moment arrived, she seized it.
- Monalisha Devi, the last line of defense, delivered crucial saves with the reflexes of a seasoned international. Her performance against Myanmar will be remembered as one of the turning points of the campaign.
Behind them stood a squad of determined young women, each carrying personal sacrifices and collective ambition. For India, this was more than just football. It was about belief restored and pride rekindled. Families followed every update with anxious hearts, while teammates huddled together in moments of silence before taking the field.
The Young Tigresses showed that Indian women’s football can not only compete but also triumph in Asia. Their journey was a reminder that sporting dreams, when nurtured with patience and investment, can blossom into reality. After 19 years of waiting, India’s U-20 women’s team has finally returned to the continental stage. They arrive in Thailand next year not as underdogs sneaking into the draw, but as a team unbeaten, unbowed, and unbroken.
The Young Tigresses have announced themselves. And if Yangon was a glimpse of what they can achieve, Asia had better take notice the roar has only just begun
