India vs Turkmenistan Preview, team news, lineups & prediction | AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers

After a stalemate start India U20 Women’s team will be striving for all three points.

The Indian U20 Women’s team opened their campaign in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers with a gritty draw against Indonesia. The Young Tigresses would have another opportunity to register their first three points in the tournament when they take on Turkmenistan in the second group stage game on Friday, August 8, 2025, at the Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon.

The second group stage fixture is the one to win for the young tigresses, as the hosts, Myanmar, look favourites to clinch the top spot. Myanmar breezed past Turkmenistan, 6-1, in their opening game to sit at the top of Group D with three points.

The Stakes

India U20

After missing out on an opportunity to accumulate all three points in the opener against India, this game becomes almost a must-win game if the Blues want to keep the knockout equation open. Since this is a short campaign with only three games to play, it becomes imperative that young tigresses find their rhythm and start the offensive before it’s too late.

With a point in one game, India sit in second position in Group D. A win against Turkmenistan will take them to the top if Indonesia hold Myanmar in their fixture.

Joakim Alexandersson would want his girls to be more clinical in the final third. There were a few missed opportunities in the game against Indonesia that created a hindrance on their way to three points. The tie against Turkmenistan would see the girls fighting hard again, this time for nothing less than three points.

Turkmenistan U20

With a dubbing in the first game against Myanmar, this becomes a do-or-die encounter for young tigresses. They will have to pass this Indian test if they want to remain alive in the tournament. Interestingly, Turkmenistan drew the first blood against Indonesia when they opened the scoring, which shows their have something in their arsenal that would keep India on their toes.

However, their defence was blown to pieces as they conceded six goals to finish the game completely shattered. The young tigresses would aim to do the same. The Blues know Turkmenistan’s defence is the chink in their armor.

Team News

Both sides are expected to field the same squad with no major changes. The Indians would look to build on their first game against Indonesia with an intact squad. Whereas Turkmenistan would look to show faith in their team moving into a crucial and must-win fixture.

Head-to-Head Record

India U20 Women’s and Turkmenistan U20 Women’s teams will start with a clean slate as they have never locked horns before. This fixture would be their first-ever meeting. The pressure will be there on both sides, considering the stage where they are meeting, with what is there on the line to fight for.

Probable Lineups

India U20 (4-2-3-1)

Monalisha Devi (GK), Shubhangi Singh, Cindy Colney, Juhi Singh, Sahena TH, Pooja, Neha Silley, Monisha Singha, Anju Chanu, Sulanjana Raul, Sibani Nongmeikapam

Turkmenistan U20 (4-2-3-1)

Elnura Maksyutova (GK), Ejegul Durdyyeva, Aisha Allayeva, Angelina Zemskova, Aylar Berdiyeva, Lahe Haipova, Muminova Zubeyda, Malika Mammedova, Alymjanova Lachyn, Dzhamilya Babayeva, Amanova Diana

Players to watch

Sibani Nongmeikapam (India U20)

Once again, eyes will be on Sibani Nongmeikapam, the primary goalscorer for the young tigresses. Coming up against a relatively weaker defensive unit in Turkmenistan, Sibani would be confident of marshalling the forward line for India.

Since this is almost a must-win encounter for the young tigresses, goals will be required and fans will shift their focus to someone like Sibani to do the herculean task.

It is important for her to find her touch in the first few minutes of the game, as an early goal would definitely give the young tigresses the push they require to put Turkmenistan’s defense under pressure.

This will be arguably the most important game for Sibani in her short career, and she would be willing to make a mark by registering her name on the scoresheet.

Dzhamilya Babayeva

The only bright prospect for Turkmenistan in their game against Myanmar was their forward, Dzhamilya Babayeva, who scored the goal. The solitary goal was the only moment of joy for Turkmenistan in their opening fixture.

Babayeva will be expected to produce something similar against India. If she fires, Turkmenistan would feel comfortable in fixture that would test their mental resolve and defensive sturdiness.

Telecast Details

The AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup qualification game between India and Turkmenistan will be played on Wednesday, 8 August 2025, at the Thuwanna Stadium, Yangon. It will kick off at 18:00 IST. The match will be streamed live on Pyone Play Sports YouTube channel.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.