India Qualifies for U20 Women’s Asian Cup After 20 Years — Seals Spot With 1-0 Win Over Myanmar

In a historic moment for Indian women’s football, the national U20 women’s team has booked its place in the 2026 AFC U20 Asian Cup in Thailand — ending a 20-year wait.

The decisive result came on Sunday at Yangon’s Thuwunna Stadium, where India edged past hosts Myanmar 1-0 to top Group D unbeaten. Winger Pooja’s 27th-minute goal proved the match-winner, capping off a campaign in which India didn’t concede a single goal.

India last appeared in the U20 Asian Cup in 2006, and their best-ever finish came in 2004 when they reached the quarter-finals.

The Road to Qualification

Under the guidance of Swedish coach Joakim Bernt Alexandersson, the young Blue Tigresses began their campaign with a goalless draw against Indonesia, followed by a commanding 7-0 win over Turkmenistan.

Heading into the final game, a win over Myanmar was essential to top the group — and India delivered.

Pooja’s goal was a result of her own counter-attacking move. Sprinting down the right flank, she sent a cross into the box. Myanmar’s defence failed to clear, allowing Neha on the opposite wing to retrieve the ball and loop it back towards goal. Pooja, arriving at the perfect moment, bundled the ball across the line.

Holding the Lead Under Pressure

The second half saw Myanmar pile on the pressure in search of an equaliser. India’s goalkeeper Monalisha Devi, who had already kept two clean sheets in the tournament, made several crucial saves — including a fingertip stop in the 48th minute and a dramatic intervention in the 80th when the ball rolled dangerously along the goal line.

Myanmar hit the woodwork twice, but India stayed resolute. In stoppage time, Sibani Devi’s cross found Sulanjana Raul, whose header rattled the bar — a near miss that would have sealed the win in style.

When the final whistle blew, India had secured the three points and their ticket to Thailand.

Celebration and Reward

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced a prize of $25,000 for the squad, hailing the achievement as a milestone for women’s football in the country.

From the first whistle in the qualifiers to the last defensive stand in Yangon, India’s U20 women proved they belong among Asia’s elite — and in 2026, they’ll get their chance to show it on the continental stage once again.