India women demolish Lebanon 4-0 in AFC U17 Asian Cup, await QF fate
Synopsis
India's U17 women's team delivered a clinical performance to dismantle Lebanon 4-0, but the real test awaits. A third-place finish in Group B keeps quarter-final hopes alive, though progression now depends entirely on how other groups unfold — a position that underscores India's narrow margin for error in this tournament.
Key Takeaways
India defeated Lebanon 4-0 in Group B of the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup China 2026 on 8 May .
Pritika Barman scored twice ( 7th and 85th minutes ); Alva Senjam and Joya Joya added one each.
India finished third in Group B behind Japan and Australia .
Quarter-final qualification depends on Group C results.
India goalkeeper Munni Bhambhu was untroubled, recording a clean sheet.
India's U17 women's football team kept their quarter-final hopes alive with a commanding 4-0 victory over Lebanon in Group B of the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup China 2026 on 8 May at the Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Centre. The win secured a third-place finish for India behind Japan and Australia, but progression to the knockout stage now hinges on Group C results.
India's clinical performance
Pritika Barman broke the deadlock in the seventh minute, surging past Joya Bou Assaf and sidestepping Yasmina Nassar before lifting a delicate finish over Lebanon goalkeeper Marie Joe Chebly into the top left corner. Alva Senjam doubled the lead in the 36th minute, using her pace to slip past Gia Frangieh and calmly slot home to give India a comfortable cushion at the interval.
Second-half dominance
Joya Joya extended India's advantage in the 72nd minute, beating two defenders before firing past Chebly. Pritika Barman sealed the rout in the 85th minute with a solo effort from inside the box, completing a dominant display. Lebanon offered little threat after the interval, with India goalkeeper Munni Bhambhu largely untroubled.
Lebanon's early pressure
Lebanon began brightly, with captain Gia Frangieh sending a neat lob into the box for Yara Geitani in the fifth minute, but Munni Bhambhu was quick off her line to deny the chance. Geitani had another opportunity in the 14th minute, her curling effort deflected to safety by India captain Elizabed Lakra.
What comes next
With the group stage concluding, India must wait for Group C results to determine if their third-place finish is sufficient for a quarter-final berth. The knockout phase will test whether this attacking prowess can be sustained against stronger opposition.
Point of View
But against stronger defences — which quarter-final opponents will surely provide — converting chances at this rate may prove unrealistic. Progression is mathematically possible but far from assured.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of India vs Lebanon in the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup?
India defeated Lebanon 4-0 on 8 May at the Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Centre. Pritika Barman scored twice, with Alva Senjam and Joya Joya adding one goal each.
Where does India stand in Group B after the Lebanon win?
India finished third in Group B behind Japan and Australia. The 4-0 victory secured that third-place spot, but quarter-final qualification now depends on Group C outcomes.
Who scored for India against Lebanon?
Pritika Barman opened the scoring in the 7th minute and added a second in the 85th minute. Alva Senjam scored in the 36th minute, and Joya Joya added the fourth goal in the 72nd minute.
When will India know if they have qualified for the quarter-finals?
India must wait for Group C matches to conclude before their quarter-final status is confirmed. A third-place finish in Group B is not automatically sufficient for progression.
