India U17 women's head coach Joakim Alexandersson has drawn measured encouragement from his side's recent tour of Tashkent, where the Young Tigresses played out two goalless draws against Uzbekistan at the UFA National Football Centre. The back-to-back stalemates, played last week, form part of India's build-up to the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers, scheduled from 5 to 11 October in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Dominant Display, Elusive Goals

Despite the flat scorelines across 180 minutes of football, Alexandersson maintained that his team held the upper hand for long stretches of both contests. The Swedish coach pointed to lapses in the attacking third as the primary reason India could not convert their territorial advantage into goals.

'We were the dominant team in both matches, but we were sloppy in our passing and combinations in the final third, which affected the number of chances we were able to create,' he said.

The coach acknowledged that India fashioned several clear-cut opportunities across the two fixtures but lacked the composure and precision to finish them off — an area he has identified as a priority before the qualifiers begin.

Defensive Solidity a Bright Spot

While the attacking department drew scrutiny, Alexandersson was notably pleased with how India defended. Keeping Uzbekistan scoreless over two full matches, the Young Tigresses demonstrated the collective shape and pressing intensity the coaching staff has been drilling in training.

'Our defensive performance, in particular, was very much in line with what I want from the team,' the coach explained. 'We looked very well synchronised as a unit and showed a level of aggression that I have emphasised a lot in our training. It was also encouraging to see that most players maintained the style of play and intensity we expect from them.'

Notably, the Tashkent camp also served as a scouting exercise, with the coaching staff using both matches to assess attacking options and gauge individual readiness ahead of the qualifiers.

What Needs to Improve Before Kuala Lumpur

Alexandersson was candid about the work still to be done. He highlighted the timing of attacking runs and composure in front of goal as the two most pressing technical concerns.

'We created many good half-chances and a few really clear-cut chances in both matches, enough to normally be able to win them,' he said. 'We still have a few things to work on over the final month before the qualifying matches, like the timing of our runs into the box when delivering crosses or cutbacks. We also need to practice being a little more composed in front of the goal when an opponent is trying to block the shot.'

This comes amid a broader push by the All India Football Federation to develop the women's age-group pipeline, with the U17 programme seen as a critical feeder for the senior national team.

Historic Context and the Next Target

Alexandersson is no stranger to navigating high-stakes qualification campaigns with this age group. He previously guided the India U17 women's side to a historic berth at the 2026 AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup — a landmark for Indian women's football. His current objective is to secure successive qualifications for the first time in the programme's history, which would represent a significant step in India's continental standing.

Beyond tactics, the coach took encouragement from the squad's cohesion and attitude. 'The most important thing I take away is that the girls genuinely seem to enjoy being together and that we had a very positive few days as a group,' he said. 'This group has a strong desire to develop. There is also a great deal of talent.'

Preparation Camp and Upcoming Friendlies

The Young Tigresses returned to India on Monday and have resumed their preparation camp in Porvorim, Goa. Before departing for Malaysia, India are scheduled to face the Philippines in two additional friendly matches on 26 September and 29 September, providing Alexandersson with further opportunities to sharpen his squad ahead of the qualifiers.