India U20 Women football team delivered an impressive attacking display to defeat Swedish club Älvsjö AIK 5–2 in a friendly match at the Bosön National Sports Centre in Lidingö, Sweden, on Thursday, March 5, 2026.
The result marked one of the most convincing performances of the Young Tigresses during their exposure tour in Europe and provided a major confidence boost ahead of upcoming international competitions. The highlight of the match was a brilliant hat-trick from Lhingdeikim, who spearheaded India’s attack with three well-taken goals. Contributions from Cindy Colney and Sulanjana Raul ensured that India finished the match strongly, underlining the attacking depth in the squad.
Dream Start for the Young Tigresses
India could not have asked for a better start. Within the first minute of the match, Lhingdeikim capitalised on a defensive lapse by the Swedish side to open the scoring and give the visitors an early advantage. The early goal immediately set the tone for India’s attacking approach. The Young Tigresses pressed high up the pitch and looked confident in possession, forcing Älvsjö AIK to defend deep in the opening stages.
India doubled their lead in the 20th minute, when Lhingdeikim converted a penalty after an Indian attacker was brought down inside the box. The striker calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper to make it 2–0 and register her second goal of the match.
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Despite trailing by two goals, the Swedish club side attempted to regain control of the game. However, India’s midfield continued to dictate the tempo, creating several promising attacking moves. India added a third goal in the 34th minute through defender Cindy Remruatpuii Colney, who finished a well-worked move to extend the advantage. The goal highlighted India’s ability to involve players from different positions in attacking play.
The Young Tigresses carried the three-goal lead into halftime, having controlled large portions of the first half through aggressive pressing and quick transitions.
Lhingdeikim Completes Hat-Trick
The second half saw India maintain their attacking intent, and Lhingdeikim once again found the back of the net in the 59th minute to complete her hat-trick. Her third goal showcased excellent positioning and composure in front of goal, reinforcing her growing reputation as one of the most promising young forwards in Indian women’s football.
With the score at 4–0, India looked firmly in control of the match.
Älvsjö AIK managed to respond with a couple of goals during the contest, but India continued to create chances and remained the more dangerous side going forward. In the 90th minute, forward Sulanjana Raul added the final touch to India’s dominant performance by scoring the team’s fifth goal of the evening.
The strike capped off a highly productive outing for the Young Tigresses, who finished the match with a comprehensive 5–2 victory.
Tactical Adjustments from the Coaching Staff
India’s head coach Joakim Alexandersson made a couple of adjustments to the starting lineup for the match. Goalkeeper Monalisha Devi was handed the responsibility between the posts, while winger Bhumika Devi was introduced to add pace and width in the attacking third. The changes worked effectively, as India looked balanced across all areas of the pitch.
The defensive line remained organized throughout most of the match, while the midfield trio worked tirelessly to connect defence with attack. The forward line, led by Lhingdeikim, proved clinical whenever opportunities arose.
The friendly match formed part of India’s exposure tour in Sweden, where the U20 squad has been facing European club teams as part of their preparations for upcoming international tournaments. Such tours play a crucial role in the development of young players, allowing them to experience different styles of football and adapt to the physical and tactical demands of the international game.
Facing European opposition helps Indian players sharpen their decision-making, improve match intensity, and gain confidence in competitive environments.
Positive Signs for Indian Women’s Football
The convincing victory over Älvsjö AIK also reflects the steady progress of India’s youth women’s football program. The under-20 national team serves as a crucial bridge between grassroots development and the senior national side. Strong performances at this level indicate that India is building a promising pipeline of young talent capable of representing the country at higher levels in the future.
Players such as Lhingdeikim, Sulanjana Raul, and Cindy Colney are emerging as exciting prospects who could eventually make the transition to the senior national team setup.
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For the Young Tigresses, the win in Sweden will serve as an important morale booster as they continue their preparations for future international competitions. More importantly, the match provided a platform for several players to showcase their abilities and gain valuable match experience against foreign opposition.
If performances like this continue, India’s women’s youth teams could soon become a more competitive force in Asian football and perhaps even on the global stage.
