An unconventional goal, a brave save, a no-nonsense coach: The tale of India reaching AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup after 20 years

Monalisha Devi wasn’t always a footballer. She began her sporting journey with handball, but she gave it up after a lack of recognition. Archery was next on her list, but her father advised her to take up football and put on a goalkeeper’s gloves.

Cut to August 10, 2025, video snippets of the teenager from Imphal pulling off a goal-line save inundated various social media platforms, perhaps making up for the recognition she didn’t receive years ago in another sport.

That save played a significant role in India’s qualification for next year’s AFC Under-20 Women’s Asian Cup – a feat achieved after two decades.

After playing out a goalless draw against Indonesia, the Young Tigresses opened their account in the qualifiers with elan after downing Turkmenistan 7-0. Then, a decider with Myanmar beckoned. The match wasn’t pretty in any measure; it was gritty and ugly. Ultimately, an unconventional goal and a disciplined defensive performance helped India overcome its opponent 1-0.

A group willing to learn and a no-nonsense coach worked in tandem and ensured a successful qualification campaign for India.

The defining moments

The second half against Myanmar saw the Indian players defending a slender one-goal lead with their backs against the wall. The host, riding on the home crowd’s raucous enthusiasm, kept knocking on India’s goal.

In the 80th minute, substitute Moe Pwint Phyu volleyed it towards goal from close range but was unlucky to rattle just the upright. However, the rolling ball was on the verge of crossing the line, but a leaping Monalisha pawed it out of danger.

“My confidence rose after making that save. The home fans were quite loud, and I couldn’t hear my own teammates on the field. All I was thinking at that moment was to not concede,” the ‘keeper from Imphal, told Sportstar.

But before Monalisha had to spring into action, Pooja – the forward from Haryana’s Alakhpura – put the visitor ahead.

Just before the half-hour mark, Neha whipped in a cross from the left flank, prompting the Myanmar goalie Thu Zar Aung to step out of her line and attempt to punch it away. However, she missed the ball completely, and Pooja was in the right place at the right time to push the ball into the back of the net with her torso.

“That moment is one that can’t be forgotten easily,” the forward began recalling. “I didn’t expect that to creep inside the goal. That’s how these moments are. I first thought that the ball had gone out of play, but then I saw Neha going for the ball and putting in the cross. Then I also went inside the box.”

Growing as a team

During the last U-20 Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers, India missed qualification by the barest of margins. Shubhangi Singh, the current captain of the side, remembers the pain all too well.

“We played in the previous edition’s qualifiers as well, but we missed out because of one goal difference. That was a lot to take. After that, I got an ACL injury, so last year I was in rehabilitation,” Shubhangi said.

But going into this set of qualifiers, the defender from Gujarat had no reservations about her team’s chances of making it to the tournament.

“I’m not overwhelmed, and I think as a team, we weren’t shocked after qualifying because I expected us to make it,” she said nonchalantly.

“Ahead of the Myanmar match, we were shown videos with the sound on to prepare us for the crowd during the game. We were mentally prepared; a draw was not an option for us. We couldn’t even communicate with each other because the crowd was so loud,” she added.

Before the qualifiers, the Indian squad camped in Bengaluru and even played two friendlies against Uzbekistan (1-1 and 4-1 wins). However, the first time the group was together, albeit for just a week or so due to the Indian Women’s League, was ahead of the Pink Ladies Youth Cup (2-1 win vs. Jordan, 1-0 win vs. Hong Kong, 0-3 loss vs. Russia) in February.

“As a team, we have grown. Against Uzbekistan, whose senior team is ranked higher than ours, a draw and a win were good. All thanks to the coach who has never told us to play defensively but to always put pressure on the opponent,” Shubhangi said.

The coach with a plan

Sweden’s Joakim Alexandersson took the job of coaching the U-20 and U-17 Indian women’s teams last December. And in his first major assignment, he found success. Yet, he felt that there was still room for improvement for this age group of players in the country.

“Back home, girls start training at an earlier age and work a lot on the basics. That is lacking here. Hopefully, in the future, more academies from FIFA and Indian clubs come up for girls so that they can improve in these areas,” Alexandersson said on his assessment of Indian football in these few months.

Sweden’s Joakim Alexandersson took the job of coaching the U-20 and U-17 Indian women’s teams last December. 
| Photo Credit:
AIFF Media

The 49-year-old was honest in his analysis of the Myanmar match. “I think we were a bit too afraid of playing football. We were not able to keep the ball much in the last 30 minutes. That was a little bit frustrating, but other than that, I think we had a good tournament together. The mindset and the spirit that the girls showed were very strong.”

Alexandersson described himself as a coach who always wants to have a good relationship with his players. He wants them to have confidence in him, not be scared. While the Swede might be quite vociferous on the touchline, he ensured that it’s all part of being in the game. And his players know that.

The U-20 Women’s Asian Cup is eight months away, and the coach has plans for preparing for it, but he decided to keep them to himself. Fitness and being brave in one-on-one situations are areas to improve, but before that, Alexandersson has the SAFF U-17 Women’s Championship to look forward to, which begins on August 20 – ahead of the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers in October.