India U17 vs Lebanon U17: Pritika Barman's impressive performance, goal threat and other talking points from AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup 2026

The Young Tigresses outclass Lebanon 4-0 in AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026.

The India U17 national women’s side concluded the group stages of their 2026 AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup with a dominant 4-0 win over Lebanon U17 on Friday, 8 May (2026). It was a truly thrilling display from Pamela Conti’s side, who produced some scintillating attacking football to grab their first win of the tournament.

The Young Tigresses dominated the majority of the game, taking control early on through Pratika Barman’s 7th-minute goal. They would double their lead in the first half through Alva Senjam (36’), before goals from Joya Joya (72’) and another one from Pratika (85’) helped them seal a big win that almost guarantees them a place in the knockout rounds as one of the two third-placed teams to qualify for it.

After having suffered disappointing losses to Japan U17 and Australia U17 earlier in the group stages, where they failed to even score a goal, this was a much-needed relief for the Young Tigresses and a match where they showed the potency they can be when the momentum is on there side. Some intriguing aspects about the team were definitely discovered with this win, as we look at the talking points of the India U17 vs Lebanon U17 women’s team clash.

5. Leader Elizabed Lakra proves capability for senior promotion

It’s quite likely that some players from this India U17 side might get promoted to the senior team in the near future if able to excel in a competitive tournament like the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup. Well, it looks like the India U17 women’s captain, Elizabed Lakra, definitely possesses one of the front-runners for that. The Indian Arrows U17 star produced a really sturdy display in the backline for the Young Tigresses, stepping up into the key areas to thwart Lebanon U17’s attacking threat time and again.

Lakra excelled in the game with her excellent game-reading skill and mobility, making 11 clearances, two tackles and two interceptions. She definitely played a crucial role in helping her side keep a clean sheet, while her aggressive attitude and impressive passing qualities show that the teenager might be in line for a promotion to the senior level very soon – if able to keep this kind of form going.

4. India U17’s relentless pressing threat pointing at way forward for women’s football teams?

After having lost their last two games and being in desperate need of a win, the Indian U17 side decided to take risks and take the fight to Lebanon U17 in this clash. They ended up catching their opponents by surprise because of the sheer energy levels of the Indian players, who, rather than sitting deep, decided to press the Lebanese players whenever possible. The Indian players moved their defensive line higher up, with the midfielders as well as forwards working hard to gang up on the Lebanon players to force them to concede possession.

The India U17 side won over 53% of their duels and made 12 interceptions in the match, which allowed them to regain possession inside the Lebanon U17 half and throw dangerous counter-attacks at them. Because of how effective this tactic proved to be, one has to wonder if the other women’s national team in Indian football can learn from it and be braver with sharp high-press tactics to surprise their opponents in such key games.

3. Quality of attractive goals reassures bright future ahead for Indian women’s football

The really eye-catching aspect of India U17 women’s win over Lebanon U17 was that they didn’t do so by scrapping their way through. Instead, Pamela Conti’s side produced some really attractive attacking football, creating well-linked, innovative chances by showcasing admirable chemistry to dazzle their opponents. One of the best aspects of this win is that the Indian players also scored some really aesthetically pleasing goals, rather than relying on scrappy set-pieces or long-ball tactics to do so.

Every single goal was the culmination of impressive build-up play, as well as the tricky brilliance of the forwards to get the ball into the danger zones and finish chances off clinically. The element of surprise that the Indian players showed in their goals proved how lethal these players can be when at their most confident form, and also reassured that many of these youngsters will go on to excel at the senior level as well.

2. Brilliant Pratika Barman solidifies promising future as India’s right-wing option

Pratika Barman proved to be too hot to handle for the Lebanon U17 side in what proved to be a statement performance from her, after failing to deliver in the last two games. The 16-year-old winger, who has come up through the grassroots scene in West Bengal, proved why she’s being so highly rated among the members of the India U17 women’s squad. Barman was a nightmare to deal with for the Lebanese defenders, with her tricky movement, close control and dribbling qualities helping her be a menace in the frontline.

Barman was a proactive threat on the right wing for India U17, as she created three major chances and was impressive with her crossing too. However, she really stole the show with the quality of her goals – dribbling past multiple players with ease before producing smashing finishes to delight the fans. The teenager’s bright performance shows that she is likely to be a key player for the Indian women’s team in the near future, especially if able to keep being this kind of a menacing threat on the right wing.

1. Does Pamela Conti warrant long-term role as India U17 women’s coach?

Pamela Conti was appointed as the head coach of the India U17 women’s side mostly to ensure that the players can succeed in the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup. The Italian gaffer helped the Young Tigrresses dominate their way towards winning the 2026 SAFF U19 Championship, but some shaky results before the Asian tournament posed questions about her capability. Conti was able to tweak her tactics to ensure that India U17 didn’t at least get totally embarrassed by Australia and Japan in the group stages, but she overhauled her system to put her side on the front foot in this clash. Conti unleashed her players, giving them utmost freedom and vigour to play relentless attacking football – resulting in the 4-0 win.

This dominant victory should now guide the Young Tigresses to the knockout rounds, which would mean one more win (in the quarterfinals) would book a place for India U17 in the 2026 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup. To her credit, Conti has kept the Young Tigresses combative and competitive against major opponents, and her tactical structure has resulted in some entertaining football too. She is getting the best out of the majority of these players, and if she can help India U17 reach and win the quarterfinals, then the job should definitely be hers for the long-term.

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