The Indian Under-17 women’s team will be keen to create history as they begin their AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers campaign against hosts Kyrgyzstan at the Dolen Omurzakov Stadium in Bishkek on Monday.
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India last competed in the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup in 2005, so the Young Tigresses are tasked with ending a 21-year wait to play on the continental stage.
Uzbekistan is the third and final team in the group, and only the group winner will qualify for the 12-team final tournament in China in May 2026. Should India get through, it will be the first time this has happened via the qualification route.
The Kyrgyz Republic has been coached by Spaniard Antonio Mesa since February. It competed in the CAFA U-17 Women’s Championship in March, finishing in third place behind champions Uzbekistan and runners-up IR Iran.
All matches were closely contested (1-0 win against Tajikistan, 0-0 draw against Uzbekistan and 0-1 loss against IR Iran). Mesa also expects similar battles in the Asian qualifiers.
When and where does the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifier between India and Kyrgyzstan start?
The India vs Kyrgyz Republic AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifier starts at 6:30 PM IST (7:00 PM local time), Monday, October 13 at the Dolen Omurzakov Stadium in Bishkek.
How to watch the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifier between India and Kyrgyzstan?
The match will be streamed live on the Kygryz Sport TV YouTube channel.
What did the coaches say before the game?
«We were together in Bengaluru for a few weeks and also spent the last few weeks in Goa. In between camps we took part in the SAFF U-17 Women’s Championship in Bhutan where we played six matches. Then we returned to Bengaluru and continued our camp there. So overall we have had a lot of matches and training and the team is ready.»India head coach Joakim Alexandersson
«We feel that the group will be very close and that everything will be decided by small details. All our players are more than ready; everyone wants to reach the final tournament, but in the end it will come down to the small details.»Head coach of the Kyrgyz Republic, Antonio Mesa
Published on October 13, 2025
