PM Anwar praises U-17 women’s football team’s grit in Asian Cup qualifiers
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 11 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has praised the fighting spirit of the national U-17 women's football squad despite their failure to qualify for the 2027 U-17 Women's Asian Cup…
Source: Bernama English · October 11, 2026 at 4:31 PM · AI-assisted report
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SELAYANG MUNICIPAL COUNCIL STADIUM, 12 OCTOBER 2026 —
Malaysia’s U-17 Women’s Football Team Falls Short in Asian Cup Qualifiers as PM Anwar Commends Resilience After 4-0 Defeat to India
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Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has lauded the fighting spirit of Malaysia’s U-17 women’s football team after their elimination from the 2027 U-17 Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers, following a heavy 4-0 defeat to India in their final Group E match at the Selayang Municipal Council Stadium on Thursday night.
The loss dashed the team’s hopes of advancing to the final round of the tournament, which will be held in China from March 31 to April 17, 2027. Despite the setback, Anwar praised the squad’s performance, urging them to use the experience as motivation for future success. "Use this experience as motivation to bounce back stronger and achieve success in upcoming tournaments. Keep moving forward, Malaysia," he said in a Facebook post.
The team had begun their qualifying campaign strongly, securing a 1-0 victory over Syria in their opening match before defeating Iraq 4-0 in their second game. However, the 4-0 loss to India proved decisive, as only the eight group winners will qualify for the final round. The remaining four spots are already occupied by defending champions North Korea, Japan, Australia, and host nation China.
The defeat marks the end of Malaysia’s campaign in this edition of the tournament, though the team’s early successes had raised expectations of a deeper run. The squad’s resilience, particularly in their first two matches, had drawn attention as a potential underdog story in the competition.
While the result eliminates Malaysia from the 2027 Asian Cup, the team’s performance has been noted as a step forward in the development of women’s football in the country. The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has not yet commented on next steps, but the squad’s experience in international competition will likely inform future training and strategy.
The loss to India also underscores the competitive nature of the qualifiers, where only the top teams from each group advance. With the final round set to take place in 2027, the focus now shifts to Malaysia’s preparations for future tournaments, including the possibility of rebuilding the squad for the next cycle of qualifiers.
Anwar’s message of encouragement reflects broader national sentiment, where sports achievements—particularly in women’s football—are increasingly seen as a reflection of the country’s progress. The team’s journey, though cut short, has already contributed to the growing narrative of Malaysian athleticism on the regional stage.
Related: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim · Selayang Municipal Council Stadium