Football
Manipuri Girls Lead the Way as India U17 Women Qualify for AFC Asian Cup 2027
AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers · Group E
India U17 women are going to China 2027, and Manipuri girls led the way. Eleven of the 23 Young Tigresses are from Manipur. They helped India to three wins, 20 goals and no goals conceded, and a second straight AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup.
By PurePlay India Sports Desk · 13 October 2026
Malaysia
Nearly half the India U17 women squad is from Manipur. In the match that decided Group E, against hosts Malaysia, a Manipuri player opened the scoring. Redima Devi Chingkhamayum hit a long-range strike in the 29th minute at a rain-soaked MP Selayang Stadium on Sunday night. India went on to win 4–0.
Pritika Barman and Anushka Kumari added goals early in the second half. Substitute Nidhi ran from about 25 yards out and scored her first goal for India in the 87th minute. Goalkeeper Munni kept a third straight clean sheet. India finished the group with nine points from nine and booked a place at the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2027.
According to the AIFF, no Indian women’s team, at any age level or senior, had qualified for back-to-back Women’s Asian Cups before.
Manipur’s eleven: the Manipuri girls in India’s squad
Manipur is the biggest group in Head Coach Joakim Alexandersson’s squad, with players in every line of the team: goalkeeper, defence, midfield and attack. Manipuri players scored five of India’s 20 goals. Silky scored twice against Iraq, Nira and Alva scored in that match too, and Redima’s goal opened the scoring in the decider.
- Sanatombi
- Ambalika
- Daina
- Joyshini
- Taniya
- Alva
- Julan
- Monika
- Redima
- Silky
- Nira
Six of them play for YWC Thambalkhong, Manipur’s only club in IWL 2 this season.
Editor’s view · The fight behind the shirt
Imagine not having the money for your daily protein, and still playing for India like there is no tomorrow.
To understand what these girls have done, you have to understand where they come from. Manipur’s players in this squad come largely from Imphal and the towns of the Valley, in a state that is still feeling the effects of the ethnic violence that began in 2023.
- Bananas₹80 / kg
- Milk₹100 / litre
- Apples₹350–450 / kg
- Eggs₹10 each
This is the fight the players, their families and their clubs go through just to keep playing the game we all love. Through conflict, isolation and rising prices, Manipur still sends its daughters to play for India, and they keep delivering.
They deserve more than applause. They need nutrition, equipment and steady support from the people and institutions who celebrate them today.
To brands that believe in Indian football: backing a club in Manipur gives you a share in stories like this one, and your support goes a very long way here.
— William Tekcham, Chief Editor, PurePlay India
How India U17 women won Group E
20 goals, 10 scorers
Orange: players from Manipur. They scored 5 of India’s 20 goals.
Next stop: China
India U17 women now wait for the draw. Dates and venues for the finals are still to be announced. This season, six of Manipur’s eleven will also play in the IWL 2 for YWC Thambalkhong. PurePlay India will follow every step, from the league to China.
Photo: AIFF
Disclosure: PurePlay India is the official consultant and media partner of YWC Thambalkhong. The Editor’s view reflects the opinion of PurePlay India’s Chief Editor; food prices are Imphal retail prices noted by PurePlay India in October 2026. Match details compiled from AIFF and AFC qualification records and match reports published between 5 and 11 October 2026. Photos and video: AIFF.
