India Qualify for First Ever U-17 Women’s Asian Cup
India Qualify for First Ever U-17 Women’s Asian Cup: In a thrilling display of resilience, India’s U-17 women’s football team staged a spectacular second-half comeback to defeat Uzbekistan 2-1 on Friday, securing a historic first-ever qualification for the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup.
The victory was a tale of two halves. Uzbekistan took the lead just before the break, with Shakhzoda Alikhonova finding the net in the 38th minute.
However, the game was turned on its head by a masterstroke from head coach Joakim Alexandersson. His decision to bring on Thandamoni Baskey in the 40th minute proved to be the catalyst for victory.
Baskey made an immediate impact, first equalizing for India in the 55th minute and then turning provider by setting up Anushka Kumari for the decisive goal in the 66th minute.
With this win, India finished at the top of Group G with a perfect six points, booking their ticket to next year’s AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup in China. This marks the team’s first-ever continental qualification at this age group, a monumental achievement for the program.
The “Young Tigresses” are now set to make their first appearance in the tournament since 2005, when the format allowed for direct entry. This hard-fought qualification marks a new era for Indian women’s football on the continental stage.
Key Improvements:
Emphasized the Stakes: The final paragraph clearly explains why this qualification is so significant, contrasting it with the 2005 appearance.
Stronger Title: More engaging and highlights the historic nature of the win.
Eliminated Repetition: The duplicate opening sentence has been removed.
Improved Flow: The story now follows a clear narrative: challenge, tactical change, comeback, and historic outcome.
Concise Language: Wordy phrases have been tightened for better readability.
