India U17 Women Crush Iraq 14-0 in Historic Qualifier Win
India's U17 women's team began their AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2027 qualifying campaign with a record-breaking 14-0 victory over Iraq in Group E.
India's U17 women's team defeated Iraq 14-0 in their AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2027 Group E qualifier opener on Monday, October 5, 2026. The historic victory, played at the MP Selayang Stadium in Selayang, Malaysia, marks India's biggest ever win in youth international football.
Anushka Kumari scored five goals and was named Player of the Match. "I just focused on my game and took my chances when they came," Kumari said.
Goal-scoring sequence and key contributors
Eight different Indian players found the net in the commanding performance. Anushka Kumari opened the scoring, finishing a through ball from Redima Chingkhamayum. She added her second in the 12th minute after a defensive error from Iraq's Lyan Jamal.
Nira Chanu Longjam then set up Thandamoni Baskey for a 15th-minute goal. Silky Devi Sorokhaibam scored at the half-hour mark, and Kumari completed her hat-trick in the 39th minute. She netted her fourth goal just after halftime in the 48th minute.
Pritika Barman scored India's ninth in the 67th minute. Captain and centre-back Abhista Basnett then headed home a corner for the tenth goal in the 70th minute. Joya Kabul Hasan made it 12-0 in the 79th minute. Alva Devi Senjam completed the rout, scoring India's 14th goal four minutes into injury time.
Match context and interruptions
The match was dramatically interrupted in the 65th minute due to a thunderstorm. Lightning and thunder forced a suspension that lasted half an hour. Play resumed under wet conditions, which India adapted to far better than their opponents. Iraq's second-choice goalkeeper, Asmaa Ahmed, had entered the fray earlier and managed to prevent further goals until the 70th minute.
Group E standings and upcoming fixtures
The result immediately puts India top of Group E. In the group's other opener, hosts Malaysia secured a narrow 1-0 win over Syria. Qaseh Riana Dafira Rafiuddin scored Malaysia's goal in the 80th minute, assisted by a cross from Lim You. "I saw the space and trusted my teammate’s pass, it was a simple finish," Rafiuddin said.
The group standings after the first round of matches are as follows:
| Team | Matches Played | Wins | Points | Goal Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 1 | 1 | 3 | +14 |
| Malaysia | 1 | 1 | 3 | +1 |
| Syria | 1 | 0 | 0 | -1 |
| Iraq | 1 | 0 | 0 | -14 |
Only the group winner will qualify for the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2027 finals. India's next match is against Syria on October 8 at 1:00 PM IST. They will then face hosts Malaysia on October 11.
Historical significance and record
The 14-0 margin surpasses India's previous biggest victories in youth international football. Those were 12-0 wins over the United Arab Emirates in the 2015 AFC U-16 Women’s Championship and over Sri Lanka during the 2018 SAFF Championships. This result therefore sets a new benchmark for the Indian youth women's program in AFC competition.
India will meet Syria on October 8 at 1:00 PM IST in their next Group E fixture.
