AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup - Preview

AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup
#U17WAC - Preview MD1: Group B
Fri, 01 May, 2026

Suzhou: Four-time champions Japan will begin their campaign to reclaim the title when they meet Lebanon in their opening AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2026™ Group B tie on Saturday.

The other Group B match will see Australia facing off against India in a game both will be expecting to win in their bid for an early advantage in the race to reach the knockout stage.

Japan v Lebanon
Venue: Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Centre Pitch 4 (Suzhou)
Kick-off: Saturday, 15:30 (UTC+8)

Sadayoshi Shirai is a man on a mission after falling at the final hurdle to DPR Korea in 2024, with the Japan head coach keen to ensure the latest array of talents will recapture the title.

“Every match will undoubtedly be a tough battle,” said Shirai. “Throughout the tournament, we want to focus on the growth of each individual player and express the style of football that represents the U-17 Japan Women's National Team, while striving to achieve victory.

Debutants Lebanon will be expecting a tough opening encounter but head coach Joseph Mouawad will be hoping the confidence-boosting qualifying campaign will serve his team well.

Lebanon upstaged Islamic Republic of Iran, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to top Group B of the Qualifiers with Gaelle Abou Malhab’s three goals playing an important role.

Australia v India
Venue: Suzhou Tiahu Football Sports Centre Pitch 8 (Suzhou)
Kick-off: Saturday, 19:30 (UTC+8)

Australia will be determined to take one of the four FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026 spots as they chart their campaign from Group B, starting with the match against India on Saturday.

Missing out on the global ticket in 2024, Michael Cooper’s side will look to Isabella Rako for inspiration with the midfielder having found the back of the net three times in the Qualifiers.

India are on an upward trajectory and head coach Pamela Conti will have her side entering the tie with no fear following a sterling qualifying campaign.

Anushka Kumari and Thandamoni Baskey in midfield and Pearl Fernandes in attack form the spine of the team that edged Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan in the Qualifiers.

#U17WAC - Preview MD1: Group B

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