Kickstart FC, Nita Football Academy, and HOPS FC advanced to the quarterfinals of the AIFF U17 Women's Youth League 2026-27 on Tuesday, 22 July 2025, as the second round of group stage fixtures concluded at the RKM Football Academy in Narainpur, Chhattisgarh. All three sides sealed their knockout berths with commanding performances, while Mumbai Knights FC, DKR Football Academy, and MGM Ambush Club were eliminated having failed to collect a single point.

Group C: Kickstart and Nita FA both on six points

Kickstart FC opened the day's proceedings with a 4-1 demolition of Mumbai Knights FC. Midfielder Divya Choudhary set the tone inside five minutes, receiving a Cathrine Thanga pass before weaving past two defenders and curling a left-footed effort into the top corner on the rain-soaked Narainpur turf.

Shravani Nayan Mahajan doubled the lead in the 47th minute after Mumbai Knights goalkeeper Harijan Saloni Sudhir spilled an Avika Deshmukh shot. Divya's surging run down the left in the 55th minute produced a cross that Harijan fumbled, allowing Cathrine Thanga to tap into an empty net for 3-0. Mumbai Knights pulled one back in the 89th minute through a Divya Sharma free-kick that lobbed substitute goalkeeper Suzanne Kshetrimayum, but skipper Yashica H had the final word — converting a stunning 40-yard free-kick deep in stoppage time to complete a 4-1 win.

Nita Football Academy were equally ruthless against DKR Football Academy, winning 4-0 for their second consecutive clean sheet. Midfielder Niruta Baraghare intercepted a DKR goal kick in the 30th minute and released Deepika Kumari, who slotted past goalkeeper Yalamancheli Pragna. Seven minutes later, a Deepika cross was parried by Yalamancheli into the path of Khundongbam Ambalika, who finished first-time. Niruta added a third in first-half added time from another Deepika assist, before Deepika completed her brace in the 48th minute after being played in by Ambalika.

Both Kickstart and Nita FA finish the group stage on six points each. Their head-to-head on Thursday will serve as a virtual play-off to determine the Group C winner and runner-up.

Group D: HOPS confirmed as winners, Krida Prabodhini keep hopes alive

HOPS FC secured the Group D title with a narrow 1-0 victory over Sethu FC, taking their tally to six points. The decisive moment came in the 24th minute when forward Sonia unleashed a towering free-kick from near the halfway line that bounced dangerously inside the six-yard box and beat Sethu goalkeeper LG Prabhanchana. Despite a spirited second-half fightback, Sethu could not find an equaliser as HOPS' defensive discipline held firm.

In the other Group D fixture, Krida Prabodhini Pune kept their quarterfinal ambitions intact with a 4-0 win over MGM Ambush Club. Joyce Rebeiro struck in the 3rd minute to give Pune an early advantage, and captain Navmi Nagappa Shanbhag set up Aarna Hardik Sindhav just before the break for 2-0. Navmi then scored twice in the second half — a long-range effort in the 55th minute and another similar strike six minutes from time — to complete the rout, with MGM goalkeeper Rashi Poyam unable to keep out either.

What the final group-stage matchday decides

The last round of Group D fixtures sets up a high-stakes decider between Sethu FC and Krida Prabodhini Pune. Krida Prabodhini must win to advance, while Sethu require just a point to qualify on superior goal difference. The Group C runner-up — either Kickstart or Nita FA — will face HOPS FC in the quarterfinals.

Teams eliminated

Mumbai Knights FC, DKR Football Academy, and MGM Ambush Club are all out of the tournament, each finishing the group stage without a point. The three sides were outclassed across their respective fixtures, reflecting the gulf in quality at this stage of the competition.

With the quarterfinal line-up taking shape, the AIFF U17 Women's Youth League 2026-27 knockout stage promises competitive football as the country's next generation of women footballers look to stake their claim on a national stage.