Indian football team beats Turkmenistan 7-0

The Indian football team comfortably defeated Turkmenistan 7-0 in its second Group D match of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers at the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar, on Friday.

It could prove to be a decisive win in a campaign which can end in India qualifying for the junior AFC Women’s Asian Cup after two decades.

Captain Shubhangi Singh (7’, 42’) and Sulanjana Raul (38’, 90+4’) scored a brace each while Sibani (14’), Thoibisana Chanu (35’) and Pooja (65’) capped off the impressive scoreline.

The result lifts India, who held Indonesia to a goalless draw in their opening game, up to the top position in Group D with four points and a goal difference of +7. Hosts Myanmar are also on four points from two games but have a goal difference of +5.

A win over Myanmar or even a draw in their third and final Group D match of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers at the same venue on Sunday will see the Indian team qualify directly for the main tournament scheduled in Thailand next year.

India last played in the junior AFC Women’s Asian Cup in 2006, when the tournament was for the U19 age category.

A total of 32 teams are vying for 11 remaining spots at the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 in the qualifiers. Hosts Thailand are automatically qualified.

The teams have been divided into eight groups of four each for the ongoing qualifiers. The eight group winners and three best second-placed teams across all groups will earn a spot in the main tournament in April next year.

The winner of Sunday’s Myanmar vs India match will win Group D. A draw will also be enough for the Joakim Alexandersson-coached Young Tigresses to seal the top spot in their pool.

Even if they lose, India may still make the cut as one of the best-ranked runner-ups but their fate will depend heavily on other results.

On Friday, Shubhangi Singh opened the floodgates after pouncing on a corner. The Indian skipper also scored the last goal of the opening period as India entered half-time leading 5-0.

The Indian team extended their dominance in the second half with two more unanswered goals to seal off a decisive victory.

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