AIFF Media Team

NARAINPUR, CHHATTISGARH: Zinc Football Academy and Garhwal United FC became the first two sides to book their place in the quarter-finals of the AIFF U17 Women’s Youth League 2026-27 at the RKM Football Academy in Narainpur, Chhattisgarh, on Monday, July 20, 2026.  

Both sides picked up their second win on the trot. While Zinc thrashed Roots FC 8-2 in Group A, Garhwal United blanked PFC Kerala 3-0 in Group B. Kemp FC and hosts RKM Football Academy drew 1-1 and remain in the hunt for the second spot in Group B. KMP Aspire FC and DFA Raisen played out a 4-4 thriller to take their qualifying hopes to the last matchday. Roots, with two defeats, became the first team to be eliminated from the competition.

Roots FC 2 (Thanyasri A 15’, Prathiksha V 45+2’)
lost to 
Zinc Football Academy 8 (Bhanu Priya 3’, Dangi Mardi 11’, 70’, Sakshi 26’, 72’, Antara Dolui 28’, 33’, Joha Khan 32’)

Goalkeeping errors cost Roots dear as Urvasi spilled long lobs and centres from far and near to concede two early goals. Defender Bhanu Priya chipped the ball from outside the box to the near post. Urvashi misjudged the bounce and allowed it to slip through her hands into the goal in just the third minute. Wing-back Nidhu moved up and produced a stiff cross in the 11th minute. Urvashi dived but failed to hold on, and Dangi Mardi was on hand to push it home from close quarters. But the side from Bengaluru fought back to reduce the margin as Thanyasri A put away a cross from the right four minutes later. 

With the Roots defenders playing wide apart, Zinc managed to squeeze in some effective through passes and score at will. The Rajasthan side struck four goals in quick succession as Sakshi, Joha Khan and Antara Dolui, twice, managed to beat a hapless Urvashi with firmly struck shots. 

After leading 6-1, Zinc conceded a penalty in added-on time of the first half. Deepanshi was brought down by the goalkeeper Sonam Ghosh, and Prathiksha V made no mistake from 12 yards. 

Zinc played with calm assurance after the restart. Their raids were few and far between as they traded first-time passes to keep possession. Dangi got her second with a placement from close in the 70th minute, while Sakshi also added another two minutes later as they romped home 8-2 winners.

Garhwal United FC 3 (Neetika Negi 18’, 79', Aleesha Jomy 89')
defeated 
PFC Kerala 0

Garhwal United notched up their second win in as many outings and not only secured a quarter-final berth, but also top spot in Group B with a game to spare. While PFC Kerala are yet to win, their solitary point from the first game means that they are still in contention for second spot.

Garhwal United were the more organised side and moved up well with a good understanding. The midfield trio of Japleen Kaur, Neetika Negi and Gurleen Kaur kept up a fine flow of passes for Anishka Ghughtyal on the right and Sunaina on the left. 

After a couple of their crosses went begging, they took the lead in the 18th minute. Sunaina lobbed from the left, and the PFC Kerala defence failed to clear. As it dropped at the top of the box, Neetika Negi controlled it and unleashed a brilliant left-footer into the top corner. 

PFC Kerala were unable to make any impression on the Garhwal defence, but they ensured that they did not concede any more and went into the breather trailing by a lone goal. 

However, Garhwal made it 2-0 in the 79th minute and put the result beyond doubt. Gurleen provided a brilliant through pass into the box. The intelligent Neetika dashed into the box and placed past the onrushing goalkeeper G Aradhana. Aleesha Jomy produced a rousing free-kick from 30 yards out in the 89th minute. The ball hit the underside of the crossbar and rolled in as Garhwal ran out 3-0 winners.

DFA Raisen 4 (Laxmi Kumari 12’, 15’, Manju Kanwar 41’, Kumari Komal 81’)  
drew with 
KMP Aspire FC 4 (Thoudam Malemnganbi Devi 25’, Neha 54’ (OG), Sayani Chakraborty 58’, Ipshita Gawari 65’)

DFA Raisen and KMP Aspire FC churned out a nail-biting 4-4 draw in Group A. KMP Aspire now have four points from one win and a draw, while Raisen got their first point after having lost their first outing.

An unintended clearance that resulted in an own goal, an intended cross that surprisingly settled low into the near post, a comeback from either side, a red card, and several yellows were all the ingredients of this very keenly fought encounter.

Much against the run of play and after surviving a couple of close calls, it was the Raisen who raced to a 2-0 lead in the first 15 minutes. Anjali Patel sent Laxmi Kumari away on the right. The latter produced a low centre which bounced off goalkeeper Tanishka Deore’s hands into the net. Following a mix-up, Laxmi once again ran in and tried to place it into the far post. But the ball swung and settled into the near post. 

However, KMP Aspire reduced the margin in the 25th minute when Thoudam Malemnganbi Devi put away Yaiphabi Thokchom’s firm cross from the right. Later, Raisen defender Anjali Yadav’s long clearance caused confusion among the KMP Aspire defenders and the goalkeeper. As the ball ran loose, Manju Kanwar took charge to fill the empty net and make it 3-1 at half-time. 

On resumption, however, Neha's intended clearance lobbed the other way and bounced over their own goalkeeper’s head to reduce the deficit for KMP Aspire. At 2-3, the Pune side sensed their chances and soon restored parity as Sayani Chakraborty took from Yaiphabi and placed home. 

If that was not enough, KMP Aspire took the lead, with Ipshita Gawari racing down the right flank as Malemnganbi found her unmarked. Ipshita pulled her cross back from a very acute angle, but it rolled into the near post to everyone’s surprise. 

The drama was still not over. Malemnganbi was sent off for a second cautionable offence. DFA Raisen then pressed the pedal and exerted pressure on an opponent with a numerical disadvantage. They forced a corner on the right, and Anjali chipped it high into the box. Kumari Komal judged it well and headed the dropping ball into the net to make it 4-4 in the 81st minute. That’s the way it ended, as neither team deserved to lose.

Kemp FC 1 (Vaishnavi M 57’) 
drew with
RKM Football Academy 1 (Mahima Mandavi 90+4’) 

The local side RKM Football Academy picked up their first point of the tournament with an injury-time equaliser. Kemp FC were involved in their second draw in two outings and have two points.

After a first half of missed chances, Kemp forged ahead in the 57th minute. Their captain and midfielder Advika Kanojia played a brilliant through ball from deep inside their own half to Vaishnavi M. The winger had made several unsuccessful runs earlier on. But this time, she latched on to it, went clear of the defence, side-stepped the advancing custodian Yogita and filled an empty net from an acute angle.

It looked as though the Bengaluru side would hold on to their lead. But RKM FA piled up a lot of pressure in the later stages. Goalkeeper R Vishnu Priya kept their hopes alive with a string of saves. RKM forced a corner kick in the 94th minute in a last-ditch effort. Kemp failed to clear it well. Mahima Mandavi intercepted it and lobbed high into the near post with Vishnu Priya having no chance to get to it. RKM's fighting spirit deserved the equaliser.