Naveen Congratulates Indian Women’s Football Team on Historic AFC U-17 Asian Cup Quarterfinal Berth

Bhubaneswar: BJD President Naveen Patnaik has congratulated the Indian women’s football team for creating history by qualifying for the quarterfinals of the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup after a dominant 4-0 victory over Lebanon. “Congratulate Indian Football Team on scripting history by qualifying for the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup quarterfinals with 4-0 win over Lebanon. Glad to know that it is first Asian Cup knockout stage appearance for women football team since 2004. May the team continue to shine and bring the ultimate glory for the nation. Best wishes”, Naveen wrote on his ‘X’ handle. India sealed their maiden qualification to the knockout stage of the tournament with an emphatic win over Lebanon in their final Group B encounter at the Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Centre on Friday. Pritika Barman starred with a brace in the 7th and 85th minutes, while Alva Devi Senjam and Joya added a goal each in the 36th and 72nd minutes respectively. The victory marked India’s first win and first goals in the tournament since 2005, besides ensuring the country’s first-ever qualification to the knockout stage of the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup. Notably, this is also India’s first appearance in the knockout stage of a women’s Asian-level football tournament since the AFC U-19 Championship in 2004, where the team had reached the quarterfinals.