Suzhou (China), May 8 (IANS) Pritika Barman starred with a brace of goals as India kept alive their hope of reaching the quarterfinals of the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 with a commanding 4-0 victory over Lebanon in their final Group B fixture played on Pitch 8 at the Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Centre in Suzhou, on Friday.

Pritika scored in the 7th and 85th minutes, while Alva Devi Senjam (36′) and Joya (72′) also found the net as India registered their first win and first goals since 2005 in the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup.

The emphatic victory leaves India in pole position for a place in the quarter-finals as one of the tournament’s two best third-placed teams.

Following the result, the Philippines would need to defeat Chinese Taipei by 12 goals, while Chinese Taipei would require a 13-goal victory.

Knowing only a win would keep their qualification hopes alive, India, who made only one change from their last game, with Anushka Kumari replacing Pearl Fernandes, began with intent and took the lead as early as the sixth minute.

Divyani Linda launched a long ball forward from right-back, which Pritika controlled brilliantly before twisting past Lebanon defender Joya Bou Assaf. The winger then unleashed a superb left-footed strike beyond goalkeeper Marie Joe Chebly to hand India the perfect start.

The early breakthrough settled the Young Tigresses, who quickly established control of proceedings with confident passing and aggressive pressing in the attacking third.

India nearly doubled their lead moments later when Anushka Kumari found space inside the box, but her effort was well saved by Marie. Pritika continued to trouble the Lebanese defence and came close to grabbing her second in the 16th minute, only to be denied again by the goalkeeper.

Lebanon struggled to cope with India’s movement in wide areas, while the Indian midfield maintained pressure through quick transitions and intelligent positioning.

The second goal finally arrived in the 35th minute. Redima Devi Chingkhamayum threaded a pass towards Alva Devi Senjam at the edge of the box, and the forward surged past Gianna Frangieh before calmly slotting the ball beyond the advancing goalkeeper to give India a deserved 2-0 advantage at half-time.

India resumed the second half with the same attacking intensity and continued to push Lebanon deeper into their own half. The Young Tigresses controlled possession for long spells and looked dangerous whenever they advanced through the flanks.

Their dominance was rewarded again in the 72nd minute through a moment of individual brilliance from Joya. Receiving the ball on the left wing, the substitute displayed excellent close control before cutting inside, skipping past two defenders, and curling a fine right-footed strike into the net to make it 3-0.

India sealed an outstanding performance five minutes from time as Pritika completed her brace. Breaking forward from the right wing, she drove into the penalty area unchallenged before calmly finishing past Marie to put the result beyond doubt.

The final whistle confirmed a historic evening for the Young Tigresses, who secured their first victory in the competition in over two decades, and are on the verge of qualifying for the knockout stage for the first time in 21 years.

–IANS

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