India women's national under-20 football team

Last updated

India Women's U-20
Indian Football 2020.svg
Nickname(s) The Blue Fillies
Association All India Football Federation
Confederation Asian Football Confederation (Asia)
Sub-confederation SAFF (South Asia)
Head coach Joakim Alexandersson
FIFA code IND
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First colours
Kit left arm ind24a.png
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Kit body ind24a.png
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Kit right arm ind24a.png
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Second colours
First international
India  Flag of India.svg 0–4 Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea
(Goa, India; 19 April 2002)
Biggest win
India  Flag of India.svg 18–0 Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan
(Chonburi, Thailand; 24 October 2018)
Biggest defeat
Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg 18–0 Flag of India.svg  India
(Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; 12 November 2008)
Asian Cup
Appearances4 (first in 2002 )
Best resultQuarter final (2004)
SAFF Championship
Appearances5 (first in 2018 )
Best resultChampions (2022, 2024)

The India women's national under-20 football team represents India in international women's under-20 football in the AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup and the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. It is controlled by the AIFF.

Contents

History

FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup

FIFA organised U20 women's world cup in 2002 for the first time, and for qualification from Asian teams, only the finalist from AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup is allowed to enter into the tournament, which was also the same criteria for the next edition and since 2006 the top three teams from AFC U19 championships would be allowed to enter into U20 world cup. India failed to qualify for the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup as they failed to be finalist in any AFC U19 Championships till 2017 edition. [1] [2]

AFC U-19 Women's Championship

The AFC U-19 Women's Championship serves as a qualifying competition for the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. For first three edition from 2002, it had been organised on every even years, and in all those three championships India participated. After 2006 Championship, it had been organised on every odd years since 2007 and coincidentally India failed to qualify for the Championships since then.

India hosted the inaugural AFC U-19 Women's Championship in 2002. [3] India U-19 failed to advance beyond group stage, finishing third in group. Indian girls lost to eventual champions Japan by 9−0 and South Korea by 4−0, only had a win against Guam by 6−0 but did not help much to move forward.

In next edition of championship held in China, India done well to reach quarter finals, winning against Hong Kong by 2−1, Singapore by 1−0 and a loss against Chinese Tapei by 0−3, and reaching the quarter final, their FIFA U20 Worldcup dream was shattered as was knocked out by North Korea by 0−10. [4]

For 2006 edition the qualification round started for AFC U19 Women's Championship, where India easily qualified, defeating Kyrgyzstan by 7−0 and Bangladesh by 9−0 which was their biggest win that time. 2006 AFC U-19 Women's Championship saw India finishing bottom of group, consisting of Asian heavyweights South Korea, North Korea and Japan, defeated by all these three team by huge goal difference of 11−0, 14−0 and 6−0 respectively. That's the last time India made it into the group stage of the AFC U-19 Women's Championship. [5]

At the 2007 qualification India lost two games in the group stage against Myanmar by 1−2 and Thailand by 1−5 which cost the AFC Championships for the first time in 2007 edition. [6] Similar fate was in 2009 qualification tournament which was worse than before as India lost all the group matches and the worst performance came against Australia, where the Australian girls defeated the Indian by a huge 18−0, thus their biggest defeat till now. [7] Next four edition, the girls seen similar scenario with zero luck to enter in the championships. For 2019 AFC U-19 Women's Championship India faced Pakistan, Nepal and Thailand in round 1 at the 2019 Championship qualification where they won two match defeating Pakistan by 18−0 which is their biggest win till now [8] and host Thailand by 1−0 [9] and a defeat by Nepal with 0−2, [10] but India failed to move to round 2 courtesy of their head-to-head result against Nepal. While Thailand, Nepal and India finished on three points, the goal difference between just these three teams were counted, which left Thailand at the top with a +2 goal difference, while India and Nepal were tied at -1, due to this, the head-to-head result between India and Nepal came into play again, and Nepal go through and India left behind. [9]

SAFF U-18 Women's Championship

2018 SAFF U-18 Women's Championship, at Bhutan, is the inaugural edition of the SAFF U18 championships being organised by SAFF on every even years to align with the AFC U19 Championships and FIFA U20 Worldcup. It's a preparatory tournament for the South Asian teams for AFC U19 championship qualification round. India thrashed host Bhutan and Maldives by 4−0 [11] and 8−0 [12] respectively in the group matches, reaching to the semi-finals they lost to Nepal through penalty shoot-out by 1−3 as the full-time ended in a 1−1 tie, [13] thus their dream of first SAFF u18 champion ended here but they won the third place in the tournament by defeating Bhutan again by a solitary goal. [14]

SAFF U-19 Women's Championship

The 2024 SAFF U-19 Women's Championship is the fifth edition of the SAFF U-18/19/20 Women's Championship, an international football competition for women's under–19 national teams organized by SAFF. On 07 February 2024, India beat Nepal 4–0 to enter SAFF U-19 Women's Championships final and shared the title in the final with Bangladesh. [15] [16]

Results and fixtures

For past match results of the under-20 team, see the results in Indian football seasons.

Matches in the last 12 months, and future scheduled matches

Legend

  Win  Draw  Loss  Fixture

2025

19 February Pink Ladies U20 Youth Cup India  Flag of India.svg2–1Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan Manavgat, Turkey
17:30  UTC+5:30
Report
Stadium: Arslan Zeki Demirci Sports Complex
14 July 2025 (2025-07-14) Friendly Uzbekistan  Flag of Uzbekistan.svg1–1Flag of India.svg  India Tashkent, Uzbekistan
20:30  UTC+5:30 Report
Stadium: Do'stlik Stadium
16 July 2025 (2025-07-16) Friendly Uzbekistan  Flag of Uzbekistan.svg1–4Flag of India.svg  India Tashkent, Uzbekistan
20:30  UTC+5:30 Report
Stadium: Do'stlik Stadium
6 August 2025 (2025-08-06) 2026 AFC U20 WACQ India  Flag of India.svg0–0Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia Yangon, Myanmar
18:00  UTC+5:30 Report Stadium: Thuwunna Stadium
Referee: Nurul Ain Izatty Zainal (MAS)
8 August 2025 (2025-08-08) 2026 AFC U20 WACQ Turkmenistan  Flag of Turkmenistan.svg0–7Flag of India.svg  India Yangon, Myanmar
18:00  UTC+5:30 Report
Stadium: Thuwunna Stadium
Referee: Sunita Thongthawin (THA)
10 August 2025 (2025-08-10) 2026 AFC U20 WACQ Myanmar  Flag of Myanmar.svg0–1Flag of India.svg  India Yangon, Myanmar
15:00  UTC+5:30 Report Pooja Soccerball shade.svg27'Stadium: Thuwunna Stadium
Referee: Nurul Ain Izatty (MAS)

Coaching staff

As of July 2025, following are the current coaching staffs: [17]
PositionName
Head coach Flag of Sweden.svg Joakim Alexandersson
Assistant coach Flag of India.svg Paromita Sit
Goalkeeper Coach Flag of India.svg KK Hameed
Strength and Conditioning coach Flag of India.svg Karan Mane
Performance Analyst Flag of India.svg Prajval Vc

Players

Current squad

The following 23 member squad were called for the 2026 AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup qualifiers. [17]

No.Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoalsClub
1 GK Monalisha Devi Moirangthem (2006-07-03) 3 July 2006 (age 19)40 Flag of India.svg Sribhumi
1 GK Ribansi Jamu (2008-12-18) 18 December 2008 (age 16) Flag of India.svg Garhwal United
1 GK Melody Chanu Keisham (2006-03-02) 2 March 2006 (age 19) Flag of India.svg East Bengal

2 DF Alina Chingakham 10 Flag of India.svg Inter Kashi
2 DF Cindy Colney (2007-03-26) 26 March 2007 (age 18)50 Flag of India.svg East Bengal
2 DF Juhi Singh (2007-07-29) 29 July 2007 (age 18)20 Flag of India.svg Kickstart
2 DF Nishima Kumari (2007-07-13) 13 July 2007 (age 18)20 Flag of India.svg Sribhumi
2 DF Remi Thokchom (2008-03-14) 14 March 2008 (age 17)20 Flag of India.svg Kickstart
2 DF Sahena TH (2006-03-14) 14 March 2006 (age 19)30 Flag of India.svg Gokulam Kerala
2 DF Shubhangi Singh (2006-06-11) 11 June 2006 (age 19)40 Flag of India.svg Gokulam Kerala
2 DF Thoibisana Chanu Toijam (2007-03-07) 7 March 2007 (age 18)20 Flag of India.svg Sribhumi
2 DF Viksit Bara (2008-04-08) 8 April 2008 (age 17) Flag of India.svg Indian Arrows

3 MF Anju Chanu Kayenpaibam (2007-03-02) 2 March 2007 (age 18)40 Flag of India.svg Sethu
3 MF Arina Devi Nameirakpam (2008-03-04) 4 March 2008 (age 17)10 Flag of India.svg Sribhumi
3 MF Bhumika Devi Khumukcham 20 Flag of India.svg Imphal
3 MF Monisha Singha (2007-01-13) 13 January 2007 (age 18)10 Flag of India.svg Garhwal United
3 MF Neha Sillay (2006-05-19) 19 May 2006 (age 19)41 Flag of India.svg Odisha
3 MF Pooja (2007-02-07) 7 February 2007 (age 18)51 Flag of India.svg HOPS

4 FW Babita Kumari (2008-08-02) 2 August 2008 (age 17)10 Flag of India.svg Nita
4 FW Deepika Pal (2006-01-01) 1 January 2006 (age 19)10 Flag of India.svg Garhwal United
4 FW Khushbu Saroj (2007-05-16) 16 May 2007 (age 18)00 Flag of India.svg Kemp
4 FW Sibani Devi Nongmeikapam (2007-01-13) 13 January 2007 (age 18)53 Flag of India.svg Sribhumi
4 FW Sulanjana Raul (2007-06-04) 4 June 2007 (age 18)22 Flag of India.svg East Bengal

Recent call-ups

Competitive record

FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup

India has never qualified for the under-20 women's world cup, but had come close to qualify in 2004 where they needed to qualify for finals but ended up getting knocked out in quarterfinals. [18]

FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup record
Host/YearResultPositionPldWDLGFGAGD
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg 2002 to
Flag of Colombia.svg 2024
Did not qualify
Flag of Poland.svg 2026 To be determined
Total0/120 Titles

AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup

India was the first nation to host AFC U-20 women's championship. In that edition, they failed to progress to the knockouts stage as they finished below South Korea and Japan. However, in the next edition India qualified for the quarterfinals, but were thrashed 10–0 by North Korea. In the next edition, which was also the last time they played this tournament, India suffered massive defeats as they finished bottom of their group of four teams with -31 as goal difference. [19]

SAFF U-18/U-19/U-20 Women's Championship

SAFF U-18/U-19/U-20 Women's Championship record
Host/YearResultPositionPldWDLGFGAGD
Flag of Bhutan.svg 2018 Semi-final3rd4301141+13
Flag of Bangladesh.svg 2021 Runners-up2nd530292+7
Flag of India.svg 2022 Champion1st4301132+11
Flag of Bangladesh.svg 2023 Group stage3rd3111133+10
Flag of Bangladesh.svg 2024 Champion1st4211152+13
Flag of Bangladesh.svg 2025 Did not participate
Total5/62 Titles2012266410+54

Pink Ladies U20 Youth Cup

Head-to-head record

As of 30 August 2025

The following table shows India's head-to-head record in the official tournaments of AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup and SAFF U-20 Women's Championship.

  Positive Record  Neutral Record  Negative Record

OpponentPldWDLGFGAGDWin %
Flag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh 712425−3014.29
Flag of Bhutan.svg  Bhutan 5500300+30100.00
Flag of Chinese Taipei (Olympics; 1986-2010).svg  Chinese Taipei 100103−3000.00
Flag of Guam.svg  Guam 110060+6100.00
Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong 110021+1100.00
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 2002015−15000.00
Flag of Maldives.svg  Maldives 110080+8100.00
Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea 2002024−24000.00
Flag of Nepal.svg    Nepal 6411195+14066.67
Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 2002015−15000.00
Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore 110010+1100.00
Flag of Sri Lanka.svg  Sri Lanka 110050+5100.00
Total30153127368+5050.00

See also

References

  1. "Asian Women u19 2006" . Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  2. "Asian Women U-19 Championship 2004" . Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  3. "Asian Women U-19 Championship 2002" . Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  4. "Asian Women U-19 Championship 2004" . Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  5. "Asian Women U-19 Championship 2006" . Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  6. "Asian Women U-19 Championship 2007" . Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  7. "Asian Women U-19 Championship 2009" . Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  8. "India bs pakistan 2019 AFC qualification". the-aiff.com. AIFF. Archived from the original on 7 December 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  9. 1 2 "INDIA UPSET THAILAND 1-0 IN AFC U-19 WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIERS". the-aiff.com. AIFF. Archived from the original on 7 December 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  10. "NEPAL BEAT INDIA 2-0 IN AFC U-19 WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIERS". the-aiff.com. AIFF. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  11. "INDIA ROUT BHUTAN 4-0 IN SAFF U-18 WOMEN'S U-18 CHAMPIONSHIP OPENER". the-aiff.com. AIFF. Archived from the original on 7 December 2019. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  12. "INDIA THRASH MALDIVES 8-0 TO BOOK SPOT IN SAFF U-18 WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP SEMIFINAL". the-aiff.com. AIFF. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  13. "INDIA LOSE TO NEPAL IN SAFF U-18 WOMEN'S C'SHIP SEMIFINAL AFTER HEARTBREAKING PENALTY SHOOTOUT". the-aiff.com/. AIFF. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  14. "INDIA U-18s DEFEAT BHUTAN TO FINISH THIRD IN SAFF CHAMPIONSHIP". the-aiff.com. AIFF. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  15. "Pti". www.ptinews.com. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  16. PTI. "SAFF U-19 Women's final: India face gritty Bangladesh in summit clash". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  17. 1 2 "India U20 women's coach Joakim Alexandersson names 23-member squad for AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers". AIFF. 31 July 2025.
  18. "Asian Women U-19 Championship 2004" . Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  19. "Asian Women u19 2006" . Retrieved 17 February 2024.