U-17 Women’s Asian Cup: India ready to face China in quarterfinal with World Cup dreams on line

In football, India’s under-17 women’s team will play their crucial quarterfinal match against hosts China in the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup at the Suzhou Sports Centre Stadium in Suzhou today. A win will seal India’s qualification for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, marking the country’s first-ever qualification to a FIFA World Cup on merit in women’s football.
 
India has previously featured in the U-17 World Cups as hosts in 2017 and 2022, but has never qualified through the competition pathway. Head coach Pamela Conti said the team is approaching the match with confidence and focus, adding that they are aware of the challenge posed by a strong Chinese side but are determined to give their best for the country.
 
India enter the quarterfinals after a strong group-stage campaign, including a 4-0 win over Lebanon, which secured their first-ever knockout stage appearance in the tournament.