India U17 Women vs Russia U17 Women: Watch U17 Women's Friendly Live
With the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup drawing closer, the India U-17 Women’s team now head into one of its most important preparatory camps, a three-match tour of Russia that could shape the Young Tigresses’ readiness for the continental stage.
Fresh off lifting the SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship under head coach Pamela Conti, India will take on Russia U-17 Women in three friendlies in Sochi on April 11, 14, and 17.
India enter the series on the back of a positive outing in Yangon last month, where they secured two wins against Myanmar (2-0 and 3-2) in friendly games. The team then continued their camp in Bengaluru before departing for Sochi.
The larger objective remains next month’s AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2026, where India have been drawn in a challenging Group C alongside Australia, Japan, and Lebanon.
Stakes for India
With the Young Tigresses set to open their AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup campaign against Australia on May 2, these three matches against Russia come as a crucial final phase of preparation.
Head coach Pamela Conti will be keen to use this series to sharpen the team’s structure on both ends of the pitch and ensure the players are tactically ready for the step up in competition.
Facing a physically strong Russian side should offer India a realistic test of their defensive discipline, especially in one-on-one duels and transition moments.
The midfield unit, too, will be under close watch as Conti looks for the right balance between control and creativity ahead of the continental challenge.
Just as importantly, the tour gives India’s attacking players valuable time to build chemistry, improve movement in the final third and grow in confidence before taking on Australia in what is expected to be a demanding opener.
At this stage of the team’s development, exposure to different styles of opposition can be invaluable, and Russia presents exactly the kind of challenge India need before stepping onto the Asian stage.
Squad for the Russia Friendlies
Goalkeepers: Munni, Surajmuni Kumari, Tamphasana Devi Konjengbam.
Defenders: Alena Devi Sarangthem, Alisha Lyngdoh, Divyani Linda, Elizabed Lakra, Joyshini Chanu Huidrom, Ritu Badaik, Taniya Devi Tonambam.
Midfielders: Abhista Basnett, Alva Devi Senjam, Bonifilia Shullai, Julan Nongmaithem, Pritika Barman, Redima Devi Chingkhamayum, Thandamoni Baskey.
Forwards: Anushka Kumari, Anwita Raghuraman, Joya, Olivia Chanu Ningthoujam, Pearl Fernandes, Valaina Fernandes.
Telecast Details
India U-17 Women’s Team will lock horns against Russia U-17 in a three-match series from April 11 to 17 at the Matsesta Stadium, Sochi. The match is scheduled to kick off at 14:30 IST.
All three matches will kick off at 14:30 IST and will be streamed live on the Indian Football YouTube Channel.
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A sports journalist for over 4 years, Triyasha has been covering Indian Football and Kanbaddi meticulously, She specialises in in-depth knowledge of the game, the players and the footballing infrastructure and heritage in India.