India Women U17 thrash Iraq 14-0 in record win at AFC Qualifiers
Synopsis
India's U17 women rewrote their own record books in Malaysia, hammering Iraq 14-0 — the biggest win in the age group's history. Anushka Kumari's five-goal blitz and a display of relentless pressing made the result look almost routine. With Syria and hosts Malaysia still to come, the Young Tigresses are serious contenders for the one qualifying spot on offer.
Key Takeaways
India U17 women defeated Iraq 14-0 at the MP Selayang Stadium, Selayang, Malaysia on 5 October 2025 .
The result is India's biggest win at this age group, surpassing two previous 12-0 victories over UAE (2014) and Sri Lanka (2018) .
Anushka Kumari scored 5 goals and was named Player of the Match .
Captain Abhista Basnett scored 2 headers from corners to claim the record-equalling and record-breaking goals.
A 30-minute weather stoppage at the 64-minute mark did not disrupt India's dominance.
India next face Syria on 8 October and hosts Malaysia on 11 October ; only group winners advance to AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup China 2027 .
The India U17 women's national team launched their AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers campaign in stunning fashion, dismantling Iraq 14-0 at the MP Selayang Stadium in Selayang, Malaysia, on Monday, 5 October 2025. The result is the biggest victory ever recorded by any Indian women's side in this age group, surpassing previous 12-0 wins over UAE in 2014 and Sri Lanka in 2018.
Star Performers and Scorers
Anushka Kumari was the standout performer of the evening, striking five goals across both halves and walking away with the Player of the Match award. In the first half, goals from Anushka, Silky Devi Sorokhaibam, Thandamoni Baskey, and Nira Chanu Longjam powered India to a commanding 7-0 lead by the break. Silky's two first-half strikes were her maiden international goals.
Skipper and centre-back Abhista Basnett contributed two headers from corners delivered by Ritu Badaik, while substitute Pritika Barman, Joya, and Alva Devi Senjam completed the record-setting tally in the second period. The final goal — a low header by Alva — sealed the 14-0 scoreline and etched India's name into the history books.
How India Dominated from the First Whistle
Head coach Joakim Alexandersson's midfield set the tone, producing a compact, disciplined display that starved Iraq of possession and creative space. Redima Devi Chingkhamayum, Thandamoni, Silky, and Alva stretched the Iraqi defence wide, opening channels for incisive through-balls that forwards exploited with clinical precision. Iraq, caught in a high defensive line, were repeatedly carved open as India moved with speed and purpose.
The floodgates opened in the first half as India's direct, one-touch play bypassed Iraq's square-defending backline goal after goal. The defence at the other end had virtually nothing to do throughout the contest.
Lightning Stoppage and Second-Half Dominance
A dramatic interruption occurred 64 minutes into the match when lightning and thunder forced a 30-minute suspension of play. Far from disrupting India's rhythm, the restart saw the Young Tigresses adapt swiftly to wet conditions while Iraq struggled. Abhista headed home two corners by Ritu Badaik to bring up the record-equalling and record-breaking goals, before Alva's late header improved the tally to 14.
Iraq goalkeeper substitute Asmaa Shivan Ahmed conceded a rebound goal to Pritika early in the second half, while her predecessor had pulled off a couple of saves to prevent an even wider margin before the weather break.
What's Next for the Young Tigresses
India face Syria on 8 October at 13:00 IST in their second Group E fixture, followed by a clash against hosts Malaysia on 11 October at 18:30 IST. Only the group winners will advance to the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup China 2027 finals. With a record-breaking opening result, India enter both fixtures as strong favourites and momentum firmly in their corner.
Point of View
And the manner of the victory, featuring cohesive midfield pressing, width exploitation, and clinical finishing, reflects a structured coaching philosophy under Alexandersson rather than a statistical fluke. What stands out is India's ability to sustain intensity through a 30-minute weather interruption and then accelerate: the final five goals came after the restart. The harder test is the group-stage logic — only the winner advances, meaning Syria and Malaysia will be very different propositions. Whether this squad can translate a record rout into a qualification berth is the question that actually matters.
NationPress
5 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of India vs Iraq in the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers?
India defeated Iraq 14-0 on 5 October 2025 at the MP Selayang Stadium in Selayang, Malaysia. It is the largest margin of victory in the history of Indian women's football at the U17 level.
Who were the top scorers for India in the 14-0 win over Iraq?
Anushka Kumari top-scored with 5 goals and was named Player of the Match. Captain Abhista Basnett added 2 headers, while Silky Devi Sorokhaibam, Thandamoni Baskey, Nira Chanu Longjam, Pritika Barman, Joya, and Alva Devi Senjam also got on the scoresheet.
What is India's previous record win at the U17 women's level?
India's previous best results in this age group were two 12-0 victories — against the UAE in 2014 and Sri Lanka in 2018. The 14-0 rout of Iraq on 5 October 2025 surpasses both.
What are India's next fixtures in the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers?
India face Syria on 8 October 2025 at 13:00 IST and then hosts Malaysia on 11 October 2025 at 18:30 IST, both in Group E. Only the group winners will qualify for the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup China 2027 finals.
Why was the India vs Iraq match suspended for 30 minutes?
A lightning and thunder storm forced a 30-minute halt to play 64 minutes into the match. The game resumed after the weather cleared, with India continuing to dominate under wet conditions while Iraq struggled to adapt.
