India’s U-17 Women’s Football Team sent a thunderous declaration of intent in their Saff U-17 Women’s Championship 2025 Opener, where Nepal was dismantled with a pounding 7-0 win in the iconic Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu on Wednesday, August 20, 2025.
Braces by Nira Chanu Longjam (25 ‘, 56′), Abhista Basnett (16 ’41’), and Anushka Kumari (37 ‘, 62’), together with a strike by Captain Julan Nongmaithem (45+1 ‘), provided a short start for India’s campaign. The young tiger tones ran to a commander 5-0 lead in the break, so Nepal did not have room for recovery in what was a one-sided affair from the start.
With the tournament taking a double round-robin layout this year, it was necessary for India to start on the front foot, and they did this in sensational style.
Nepal did not allow India to assert their dominance of the first whistle. But it was only a matter of time before the coherent structure of the young tiger tones, the result of months of training since January, began to become clear. The midfielders gradually started to dacal the pace, to find in sharp steps and by cutting the defense of Nepal with sharp distribution, while the attackers constantly found room to create havoc.
The backline, although tested early, remained compact and resilient. Goalkeeper Munni produced a solid display, provided a clean slate and her defense with confidence.
Set pieces turned out to be an important weapon for India. The breakthrough came in the 16th minute after a bad backpass resulted in a corner. Shveta Rani waved in a dangerous release of the left, and Nepal Custodian Jharna Dumrakoti rumbled under pressure. Abhista was the fastest to respond and go home up close.
India doubled their advantage in the 25th minute. Anushka left a beautifully weighted pass behind the defense for Nira, who was still doing work. The striker flowed a low ride home and defeated the linear Dumrakoti.
Anushka then became the scorer in the 37th minute, racing on a ball and showed a lot of calm to beat the keeper and make it 3-0.
Four minutes later, Abhista turned it into a brace. A pass from Anushka intended for Nira was deflected by Anshu BK, but Abhista locked on the loose ball and shot a precise finish home to extend the lead to 4-0.
After the break, India added their fifth. After another corner, a goal was climbed, Julan saw respond quickly and put the ball in the net, causing wild parties to wake up the couch.
Even with the result almost secure, India did not show any signs of delay in the second half. In the 56th minute, Nira was unmarked and unleashed a bright shot to complete her brace and bring the score to 6-0.
The seventh arrived in the 62nd minute, this time a representation of team interplay. Abhista Teed Nira on the edge of the box. While the goalkeeper charged, Nira quietly took the ball to Anushka, who ended in an open goal to seal a clinical 7-0 triumph.
India: Munni (GK), Alena Devi Sarangthem, Taniya Devi Tonambam (Pritika Barman 46 ‘), Elizabed Lakra, Divyani Linda, Julan Nongmaithem (Bonifilia Shulai 63’) Fernandes 75 ‘, ABHVETA, ABHVETA, ABHVETA, ABHVETA, ABHVETA, ABHVETA, Abhista, Abhista (Thandamoni 63 ‘), Nira, Nira, Nira, Nira, Nira, Nira, Nira, Nira) Chanu Longjam (Pearl Fernandes 75’), Alisha Lyldoh.
Aiff Media
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