AIFF U17 Women's League: DFA Raisen, RKM FA reach quarterfinals
Synopsis
A rainy morning in Narainpur produced high drama in the AIFF U17 Women's Youth League group stage — DFA Raisen needed exactly four goals to qualify and delivered precisely that, while RKM FA held off PFC Kerala at home to book their spot. All four quarterfinal berths are now filled, with Garhwal United the standout side, having not conceded a single goal across the entire group stage.
Key Takeaways
DFA Raisen and RKM FA joined Zinc FA and Garhwal United FC in the AIFF U17 Women's Youth League 2026-27 quarterfinals on 22 July .
Zinc FA topped Group A with nine points after a 4-1 win over KMP Aspire FC; DFA Raisen advanced on goal difference with a 4-0 win over Roots FC.
Garhwal United FC topped Group B with nine points and a clean sheet record, defeating Kemp FC 3-0 .
RKM FA secured second spot in Group B with four points after a 3-1 win over PFC Kerala.
Quarterfinal fixtures — Zinc FA vs RKM FA and Garhwal United vs DFA Raisen — are scheduled for Friday at Narainpur.
Manju Kanwar was the standout performer for Raisen, scoring twice and assisting the third goal.
DFA Raisen and hosts RKM Football Academy (RKM FA) secured their places in the quarterfinals of the AIFF U17 Women's Youth League 2026-27 on Wednesday, 22 July, joining Zinc FA and Garhwal United FC in the last eight. All four Group A and Group B matches were played at the RKM Football Academy in Narainpur, Chhattisgarh, with the results producing a dramatic finish to the group stage.
Group A: Zinc FA dominate, Raisen squeeze through
Zinc FA wrapped up Group A with a commanding 4-1 victory over KMP Aspire FC, finishing the group stage with nine points and an all-win record. DFA Raisen, needing a four-goal win to advance, delivered precisely that — a 4-0 defeat of Roots FC — to pip KMP Aspire to the second qualifying spot on goal difference. Raisen's goal difference stood at plus three, while KMP Aspire fell one goal short. The two sides had earlier played out a 4-4 draw when they met in the group stage.
The Zinc FA win over KMP Aspire was played on a wet pitch following a rainy morning, conditions that the Rajasthan-based side appeared to handle more adeptly than their opponents from Pune. Dangi Mardi opened the scoring for KMP Aspire in the 20th minute, tapping home from a corner at the far post. Zinc levelled through an own goal — a cross by Yaiphabi Thokchom cleared into her own net by Aaliya Khan, leaving goalkeeper Sonam Ghosh wrong-footed. Just two minutes later, Zinc retook the lead when a long-range effort slipped through the gloves of goalkeeper Tanishka Deore. In the second half, Antara Dolui — the captain — converted a cushioned header from Rahi Patel in the 71st minute, and Joha Khan completed the rout four minutes later, turning home Dangi's cross from inside the six-yard area.
In Raisen's must-win fixture, the pair of Laxmi Kumari and Manju Kanwar were the catalysts. Manju struck twice in the first half — a right-footed effort into the top corner in the 29th minute, followed by a composed finish from an Anamika Kumari through-ball four minutes later. Kiran Kanwar added the third in the 70th minute after a slick team move involving Kumari Komal and Manju. The fourth, which confirmed qualification, came when a low cross from Manju popped out of goalkeeper Urvasi's hands and Kiran tapped in to make it 4-0. Roots FC had threatened more in the second half, with Kirti and Prathiksha V combining well, but they were unable to convert. Defenders Dhannu Kanwar and Anjali Yadav were credited with keeping Roots at bay.
Group B: Garhwal United top the table, RKM FA hold on
In Group B, Garhwal United FC had already secured top spot heading into their final group fixture but still beat Kemp FC 3-0 to finish with a perfect record — nine points, three wins, and no goals conceded throughout the group stage. RKM FA, the home side, defeated PFC Kerala 3-1 to claim the second qualifying berth with four points, leaving Kemp — who needed a win to stay alive — eliminated in third place with two points.
Against PFC Kerala, RKM FA's midfield trio of Harshita Nag, Amritha Baghel, and Mahima Mandavi controlled the tempo. Jyoti Nag gave RKM the lead in the 16th minute after receiving a pass from Naveena. PFC Kerala equalised through Ananya in first-half stoppage time. RKM restored their advantage less than three minutes into the second half through Naveena, who converted an angled right-footer off a Jyoti assist. Mahima's second-half injury-time shot sealed the 3-1 win and confirmed RKM's place in the quarterfinals.
Garhwal's Khushi broke the deadlock against Kemp with a deft chip over the goalkeeper in first-half injury time, set up by a lobbed ball from Sunaina. Anishka Ghughtyal added a second with a firm right-footer, and substitute Tushti Bhatia completed the scoring in injury time, converting a Ruchi Yadav cross with a powerful left-footer to make it 3-0. Kemp's captain Advika Kanojia worked hard throughout but could not unlock a better-organised Garhwal defence.
Quarterfinal fixtures on Friday
The quarterfinal draw pits Zinc FA (Group A winners) against RKM FA (Group B runners-up), while Garhwal United FC (Group B winners) take on DFA Raisen (Group A runners-up). Both matches are scheduled for Friday at the RKM Football Academy in Narainpur. With Garhwal yet to concede a goal in the tournament, and Zinc FA carrying an all-win record, the knockout stage is set for a competitive contest.
Point of View
But Garhwal United's unblemished defensive record sets them apart — not conceding a single goal across three group matches is a significant marker at this age level. DFA Raisen's qualification, hinging on a precise four-goal margin, also highlights how fine the margins are in youth tournaments, where goal difference can determine futures. What the tournament has also revealed is the depth of women's youth football outside the traditional metros, with sides from Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand all making the last eight — a sign that the AIFF's grassroots push may be bearing fruit, even if the infrastructure at venues like Narainpur remains a work in progress given the wet-pitch conditions that affected play.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which teams qualified for the AIFF U17 Women's Youth League 2026-27 quarterfinals?
The four teams that qualified are Zinc FA, DFA Raisen (from Group A) and Garhwal United FC, RKM Football Academy (from Group B). They booked their spots after the final round of group stage matches played on 22 July in Narainpur, Chhattisgarh.
How did DFA Raisen qualify for the quarterfinals?
DFA Raisen needed a four-goal win in their final group match and achieved exactly that, beating Roots FC 4-0. This gave them a goal difference of plus three, one better than KMP Aspire FC, allowing them to advance as Group A runners-up.
What are the AIFF U17 Women's Youth League quarterfinal fixtures?
Zinc FA will face RKM Football Academy, and Garhwal United FC will take on DFA Raisen in the quarterfinals. Both matches are scheduled for Friday at the RKM Football Academy in Narainpur, Chhattisgarh.
How did Garhwal United FC perform in the group stage?
Garhwal United FC finished Group B with a perfect record — nine points from three wins and no goals conceded. They defeated Kemp FC 3-0 in their final group match despite already having secured top spot.
Who were the standout players in the group stage deciders?
Manju Kanwar of DFA Raisen scored twice and set up the third goal against Roots FC and was the key figure in Raisen's qualification. For Zinc FA, Antara Dolui and Joha Khan were decisive in the second half against KMP Aspire FC. Jyoti Nag and Naveena were influential for RKM FA against PFC Kerala.
