India’s U-17 women’s football team, led by head coach Joakim Alexandersson, is set to compete in the SAFF U-17 Women’s Championship in Thimphu, Bhutan, from August 20 to 31. Alexandersson, who recently guided the India U-20 team to their first AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup qualification in two decades, announced a 23-member squad on Sunday, poised to make a mark in the tournament as a prelude to the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers in Kyrgyzstan this October.

The championship adopts a double round-robin format, featuring India, Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh, with each team playing six matches to determine the champion based on points. India’s campaign kicks off against Nepal on August 20, followed by matches against Bangladesh (August 22), Bhutan (August 24 and 27), Nepal (August 29), and Bangladesh again (August 31), all at Changlimithang Stadium, streamed live on the Sportzworkz YouTube Channel.

The squad includes goalkeepers Munni, Surajmuni Kumari, and Tamphasana Devi Konjengbam; defenders Alena Devi Sarangthem, Alisha Lyngdoh, Binita Horo, Divyani Linda, Elizabed Lakra, Priya, Ritu Badaik, and Taniya Devi Tonambam; midfielders Abhista Basnett, Anita Dungdung, Beena Kumari, Bonifilia Shullai, Julan Nongmaithem, Pritika Barman, Shveta Rani, and Thandamoni Baskey; and forwards Anushka Kumari, Nira Chanu Longjam, Pearl Fernandes, and Valaina Jada Fernandes, ready to showcase India’s rising football talent.

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