India vs Malaysia Preview, team news, lineups | AFC U-17 Women's Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers

The Young Tigresses have scored 16 goals in AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers so far.

The Indian U-17 women’s national team are just one step away from securing qualification into the 2027 AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup, but they must overcome the challenging task against hosts Malaysia at the MP Selayang Stadium on Sunday (11 October 2026).

The Young Tigresses realize that one more win would guarantee qualification into the major continental competition, but a loss to the in-form hosts would ruin all their recent good work and cause them to miss out on the U-17 Women’s Asian Cup.

The Stakes

India U-17

The India U-17 women have showcased a lot of dominance in their U-17 AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers so far, sailing their way to impressive wins in their first two games. They’ve score 16 goals and not conceded a single time so far, as Joakim Alexandersson will hope his players can maintain that veil of dominance around them in the clash against the hosts.

The India U-17 women side will, of course, need to be way more proactive defensively and work together as a unit to keep this unpredictable Malaysia U-17 women side at bay.

However, Alexandersson will definitely be encouraging his players to be positive and always look to play innovative attacking football in taking the fight to the hosts rather than being too passive.

A big win for India U-17 women will help them qualify for the U-17 AFC Women’s Asian Cup and mark a big boost for the players’ development, but suffering a loss at this final hurdle will be particularly gutting for the young players.

Malaysia U-17

The Malaysia U-17 women’s side might not have been as destructive as their Indian counterparts, but they’ve definitely been at their efficient best in the U-17 AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers so far. They have been able to keep clean sheets in both games and also score a pretty decent five goals as well, being compelling with their performances and picking up confidence levels before the decisive clash against the Young Tigresses.

The Malaysian youngsters will hope to make their home advantage count, as they look to play some incisive attacking football to catch their opponents by surprise.

Of course, the India U-17 women will need to be at their decisive best in the attack, but must also put utmost focus to work hard defensively to keep this dangerous Indian attack quiet.

A win for the Malaysia U-17 women will be a huge step upwards for the Malaysian side as it’ll mark their first-ever time qualifying for the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup. A loss after will, however, feel extremely bitter.

Team News

Joakim Alexandersson should have a fully fit unit available at his disposal for this crucial clash.

The Malaysia U-17 women’s side should also have the same squad as they did from their recent win over Iraq U-17 women.

Head-to-Head Record

This will be the first official meeting between both the sides.

Predicted Lineups

India (4-2-3-1)

Munni (GK), Taniya Devi, Ritu Badaik, Abhista Basnett, Julan Nongmaithem, Thandamoni Baskey, Pratika Barman, Redima Devi, Alva Devi, Nira Chanu, Anushka Kumari

Malaysia (4-2-3-1)

Putri Aina (GK), Nisreina Batrissya, Nur Alisyah, Nur Qistina, Ku Nur Qalyesha, Putri Mia Alysa, Dishanna Pillay, Lim You, Qaseh Riana, Nin Sadmaji, Aisyah Nur Iman

Players to Watchout

Anushka Kumari (India U-17)

Anushka Kumari has been a major driving force for the success of the India U-17 women’s team in the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers so far, scoring seven goals in just two matches so far!

She has been an excellent figure in front of goal, taking up her chances perfectly and being ruthless in the key areas. Kumari will look to maintain her amazing momentum levels in the clash against Malaysia U-17 women, but can expect a tougher challenge from the last two games.

She will need to be particularly good and creative with her work in the final third, timing her runs perfectly to skip past her marker and confuse the opposition defenders.

Kumari will be urged to get into the danger zones inside the penalty area, and her teammates will need the young striker to be at her clinical best in converting chances to raise their chances of getting a big win.

Qaseh Riana (Malaysia U-17)

Qaseh Riana has been the most clinical player for the Malaysia U-17 women’s team in the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers, having scored two goals in as many matches for her side. Riana will need to be at her decisive best against this sturdy Indian backline to be able to inspire her side to something special.

The young Malaysian striker will have to be really unpredictable with her off-the-ball movement, getting into the empty pockets smartly to disrupt the Indian backline.

Even though she might not get a plethora of chances, the youngster has to be at her most efficient in looking to test the goalkeeper with dangerous shots and try to convert her opportunities in ruthless fashion.

If she can be at her clinical best, Riana can bolster the Malaysia U-17 women’s push against their opponents and help them get a positive result from this clash.

Did you know?

• Anushka Kumari has scored the second-highest goals (seven) in the first two matches of the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers, with only South Korean Kim Hee-jin outscoring her.
• The Malaysia U-17 side is coached by ex-Japanese footballer Takayoshi Ishihara, who used to play in the J1 League in his career.

Telecast Details

The match between India U-17 and Malaysia U-17 will take place at the MP Selayang Stadium in Selayang on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at 18:30 IST. The match will be streamed live on the FAMTV Malaysia YouTube channel.

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