On the evening of May 11, the Chinese U17 women’s football team defeated India 3-0 in the quarterfinals of the 2026 AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup in Suzhou. The victory not only propelled them into the semifinals but also earned them a ticket to the 2026 U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
From the opening whistle, China launched aggressive attacks using their speed on both flanks. In the 15th minute, Wang Chenxi’s left-footed shot from inside the box struck the crossbar, a missed opportunity that highlighted the team’s early nerves given the high stakes.
Head coach Ma Xiaoxu was often heard shouting encouragement from the sidelines, urging her players to “be active and brave” and “handle simple plays well.”
China’s superior quality eventually paid off in the 38th minute. Liu Yuxi delivered a low cross from the right flank, and Huang Qinyi slotted home from close range to break the deadlock.
The goal lifted the pressure off the young squad, leading to a flurry of chances. Zhao Sijun saw a long-range effort drift just wide before firing over from a good position moments later.
India’s defense cracked again just before halftime. Liu Yuxi was brought down in the box after another driving run, winning a penalty she calmly converted to make it 2-0 at the break.
China continued to dominate after the restart, and in stoppage time, Li Qixian latched onto a loose ball to poke home the third goal. She celebrated with three teammates in a lively dance, adding a festive touch to the World Cup qualification.
Looking ahead, China will face North Korea in the semifinals on May 14. Ma Xiaoxu stressed the importance of team unity: “We need to stick together in tougher moments. We will make specific tactical arrangements for the next match. To go further and reach the final, we must avoid the nervousness we showed today. I believe these players have the ability to compete with North Korea.”
