India’s Under-17 women’s team stayed in the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2026 race with a 4-0 win over Lebanon, securing a historic first quarter-final spot. Goals from Pritika Barman, Alva Devi Senjam and substitute Joya in Suzhou kept the Young Tigresses alive and set up a knockout clash with China on May 11.

The result also confirmed India as one of the two best third-placed teams, a condition known before kick-off. The side delivered its most clinical attacking display of the tournament, scoring India’s first goals at the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup since 2005. Emotional celebrations followed the final whistle as players and staff embraced near the centre circle.

AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup: Joya Stars For India

The third goal came from 15-year-old forward Joya, who entered from the bench and struck in the 72nd minute. Joya dribbled past several defenders before finishing from a tight angle for India’s third. Joya said the team’s backing was vital, and that the only thought was to convert any chance that appeared.

“It felt really good to come on as a substitute and make an impact straight away by scoring a goal. The team supported me a lot and kept telling me that I could do it. My only thought was that whenever I got the chance, I had to score a goal,” said Joya, who comes from Punjab.

Joya recalled simple instructions from head coach Pamela Conti, which focused on mindset and execution. “The coach just told me to play with the right mindset and score for the team. We just had to win the match.” The strike was Joya’s second goal for India U17, following an earlier effort this year in Myanmar.

For Joya, both international goals are closely linked with family. Before the first, Joya’s mother had requested a goal. The same conversation happened again before facing Lebanon, and Joya once more responded. While describing the move, Joya remembered a quick decision inside the box rather than a rehearsed move.

“At that moment, there wasn’t really a plan for a cut-back,” she said while describing the goal. “I scanned for support, but nobody was there, so I just thought, ‘Let me try, maybe it will go in.'”

Family Support For Young Tigresses

Joya dedicated the Lebanon strike to relatives who have stood by during difficult periods. “I dedicate this goal to my mother. My whole family supports me — my sister, my father, everyone,” she said. Joya added that encouragement from home has been most constant when performances felt below personal standards.

“My mother especially keeps motivating me. I’d say I wasn’t at my best lately, and she told me not to be nervous.

“My mom said, ‘You have reached here because of your hard work, so now prove yourself. Don’t think others are better than you. Think that you are better and that you can do something. Your competition is yourself.'”

Those words stayed with Joya during the day and into the match. “After hearing those words from my mother, I felt proud,” Joya said. “She kept reminding me that I had reached this stage for a reason and that I had to do something special.

“So while sitting outside before coming on, I kept thinking, ‘Just give me one chance today.’ I was so excited. During warm-up also, I kept thinking only one thing. I have to score today.

“It really happened exactly like that. I realised that if I go into every match believing that I can score, then I really can do it. If I keep thinking that I want to become better and do better, then I will score goals. Now, we find ourselves within a win of the World Cup, and we are going to give it our all.”

AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup India vs Lebanon: Pritika Shines

Earlier in the match, Pritika Barman set the tone with two goals that bookended India’s victory. The West Bengal forward opened the scoring inside seven minutes through a solo run, then added the fourth late in the second half. Pritika shared that both goals followed mental preparation the previous evening.

“We have team meetings every night, and last night I had already made up my mind that I was going to score the first goal,” she said. “And I did score the first goal. It felt really good. After that, I thought to myself that I should score even more goals, and that is how I scored again,” Pritika added.

Pritika explained that the performance came from both planning and desire. India knew only victory would keep the quarter-final route open. “It feels really good. I scored two goals, and we played really well. We had to win this match, so everyone gave their absolute best. Because we gave our best, we played very well and scored goals,” the 16-year-old said.

Winger Alva Devi Senjam scored India’s second goal, just before half-time, and highlighted the confidence running through the squad. The 15-year-old noted that the technical staff, led by Conti, kept urging the players forward from the touchline. For Alva, that noise from outside the pitch mattered after a difficult start.

“I felt very excited today because the coaches were shouting encouragement from outside the pitch throughout the game,” said Alva. “I didn’t start very well in the first half an hour, had some mistouches, but still believed that I would score at least one goal today, and that belief helped me find the net.”

Alva’s journey with India has moved quickly during 2024. The SAFF U19 Women’s Championship in Nepal earlier this year was Alva’s first international tournament. Since then, Alva has started every match under Conti. Alva earlier described how that trust felt inside the camp and why the Lebanon game carried extra meaning.

“It feels special because the coach trusts me a lot,” Alva had said earlier in the tournament, and against Lebanon, she repaid that faith with a composed finish after driving into the box from Redima Devi Chingkhamayum’s pass.

The goal itself involved quick thinking and a change of plan. “When Redima passed me the ball, my first thought was to pass it to Julan (Nongmaithem), but then I changed my mind and decided to dribble and go for the goal myself. The team’s plan today was to keep taking shots and keep trying for goals. I believed that if I kept trying, at least one will come, and that’s exactly what happened,” Alva explained.

India at AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup: Emotions before quarter-final vs China

Following the final whistle, India’s players formed a huddle near the centre, embracing teammates and staff. The wide margin and qualification combined to lift spirits across the group. Alva said that watching Conti’s reaction added to that sense of satisfaction but also reminded the team that the next challenge awaits.

“The mood of the whole team is very good right now because we won by a big margin,” she said. “Seeing the coach made me emotional at the end of the game as well. We are very happy, and we will work even harder in the quarter-final against China. We deserve to be here.

“I want to dedicate the goal to the head coach,” said Alva.

Across the squad, the win over Lebanon reinforced the importance of belief and preparation. Joya reflected that adopting a positive mindset before every game could help maintain this level. The squad now turns attention to hosts China, knowing the next result also carries implications for World Cup qualification.

India’s quarter-final against China at the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2026 is scheduled for May 11 at 17:00 IST. The match will be streamed live on the AFC Asian Cup YouTube Channel. India approach the tie with renewed confidence after scoring four goals and reaching the knockout stage for the first time.