Malayan Tigress U17 rout Iraq 4-0 in Selayang to set up AFC qualifying decider against India

Malaysia's under-17 women's team kept their AFC Asian Cup hopes firmly alive on Thursday night, beating Iraq 4-0 at the MP Selayang Stadium in Group E of the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup China 2027 qualifiers. The win, their second in two matches, sets up a straight shoot-out with India on Sunday, 11 October, for the group's only ticket to next year's finals.

Four goals, four scorers

Coach Takayoshi Ishihara's side were far more aggressive than in their opening match and controlled most of the game. Aisyah Nur Iman Mohd Fuad opened the scoring in the 19th minute, getting on the end of a corner delivered by Nissriena Batrissya Mohd Azhar.

Qaseh Riana Mohd Rafiuddin doubled the lead before half-time after being set up by Lim You. Lim then grabbed a goal of her own in the 58th minute, calmly lifting the ball over Iraq goalkeeper Asmaa Shivan. Substitute Aisha Lynn Mohamad Faris completed the scoring two minutes from time with a strong strike from outside the box.

The result followed a tighter 1-0 win over Syria in the opening round, giving the hosts six points and a goal difference of +5.

India's ruthless start

India have also won both of their games and carry a much bigger goal difference into the final round. Joakim Alexandersson's side opened with a 14-0 demolition of Iraq on 5 October, then beat Syria 2-0 on Thursday, a match halted for close to half an hour by an approaching thunderstorm.

Striker Anushka Kumari has been the standout performer in the group. She scored five times against Iraq and both goals against Syria, taking her tally to seven. India reached the quarter-finals of the 2026 edition in China, their best-ever finish, and are chasing back-to-back appearances for the first time.

What Malaysia need on Sunday

Only the group winner qualifies for the finals in China. Both teams have six points, but India's goal difference stands at +16 compared with Malaysia's +5. A draw would leave the sides level on points and on their head-to-head meeting, so the gap in goal difference would almost certainly decide the group in India's favour. In practice, Malaysia need to win.

The decider is scheduled for 9pm Malaysia time on Sunday, 11 October, in Selayang. Iraq and Syria, both still without a point, play the group's other final-round match.

A boost for the women's game

For Malaysian women's football, a place at a continental finals at youth level would be a significant step. The squad's sharp improvement between the Syria and Iraq games will give Ishihara confidence, but India's attacking output means the hosts will need their most complete display of the campaign.

Key takeaways

• Malaysia beat Iraq 4-0 on 8 October at the MP Selayang Stadium for their second Group E win.
• Aisyah Nur Iman, Qaseh Riana, Lim You and Aisha Lynn Mohamad Faris scored.
• India also have six points but a far better goal difference after a 14-0 win over Iraq.
• Malaysia face India at 9pm on Sunday, 11 October, and almost certainly need a win to qualify.

FAQ

When is Malaysia vs India in the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup qualifiers? Sunday, 11 October, at 9pm Malaysia time, at Selayang.

How many teams qualify from Group E? Only the group winner advances to the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup in China in 2027.

Who coaches the Malaysia U17 women's team? Takayoshi Ishihara is the head coach of the Malayan Tigress U17 squad.

Sources: Utusan Malaysia, Telangana Today, All India Football Federation