All you need to know about 2025 SAFF U17 Women's Championship

The tournament will start on August 20 in Bhutan.

With the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers on the cards, the Indian girls would be testing their preparations in the SAFF U17 Women’s Championship. After guiding the Indian U20 side to AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup for the first time in 20 years, Joakim Alexandersson look to repeat the same with the U17 side as well.

In the previous edition of the tournament, India missed out on the title as they lost to Bangladesh in the final. This year, the team under Alexandersson has the task to not stumble and go the extra mile to return with the trophy. With the new format in place, the tournament will serve the purpose of preparation for the upcoming AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers.

Also Read: India drawn in Group G of the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers

Teams set to fight for dominance in South Asia

The SAFF U17 Women’s Championship will be participated in by four South Asian teams. Last year’s champions, Bangladesh, will enter the tournament with the hopes of retaining the trophy. India, the runners-up from 2024, will have the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup in sight, but they will be determined to clinch the tournament for the third time.

Nepal and Bhutan would be eager to make things challenging for India and Bangladesh. After a disappointing last edition, Nepal would want to regain the glory of the 2022 edition when they won the tournament. The hosts, Bhutan, are also a formidable side and can’t be taken lightly by other teams.

The tournament will start on August 19 with the final scheduled for August 31. All the matches will be held in the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan. Teams will compete with each other in the round robin league format. The team having the most points at the end of the round robin stage will be declared the winners. India will play their first match against Nepal on August 20 before facing Bangladesh a day later.

India U17 women’s team’s 23-member squad for the SAFF U17 Women’s Championship

• Goalkeepers: Munni, Surajmuni Kumari, Tamphasana Devi Konjengbam.
• Defenders: Alena Devi Sarangthem, Alisha Lyngdoh, Binita Horo, Divyani Linda, Elizabed Lakra, Priya, Ritu Badaik, Taniya Devi Tonambam.
• Midfielders: Abhista Basnett, Anita Dungdung, Beena Kumari, Bonifilia Shullai, Julan Nongmaithem, Pritika Barman, Shveta Rani, Thandamoni Baskey.
• Forwards: Anushka Kumari, Nira Chanu Longjam, Pearl Fernandes, Valaina Jada Fernandes.
• Head coach: Joakim Alexandersson
• Assistant coach: Nivetha Ramadoss
• Goalkeeper coach: Dipankar Choudhury
• Strength and conditioning coach: Saifull

India’s fixtures in 2025 SAFF U17 Women’s Championship

• Match 1: India vs Nepal, August 20
• Match 2: India vs Bangladesh, August 22
• Match 3: India vs Bhutan, August 24
• Match 4: India vs Bhutan, August 27
• Match 5: India vs Nepal, August 29
• Match 6: India vs Bangladesh, August 31

When and where to watch SAFF U17 Women’s Championship?

As the Indian team gears up for the bigger mission, this task will be equally important. The fans will be able to catch up with the live streaming of the SAFF U17 Women’s Asian Championship on the Sportzworkz YouTube Channel.

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