AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup: India suffer 0-5 loss to Australia
India’s U20 women’s team lost 0-5 to Australia in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 at Pathum Thani Stadium, Thailand. Skye Halmarick scored a hat-trick as India remain bottom of Group C with two defeats
Pathum Thani: The Indian U20 women’s national team suffered a 0-5 defeat to Australia at the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 at the Pathum Thani Stadium in Thailand on Sunday.
Skye Halmarick (38’ p, 39’, 48’) scored a hat-trick to give Australia a strong lead, followed by goals from Danella Butrus (54’) and Daisy Brown (90+4’). India remain at the bottom of Group C with no points after two matches.
A win in their final group-stage game against Chinese Taipei on Wednesday could still secure Joakim Alexandersson’s team a spot in the knockout rounds.
Although the final score suggests otherwise, the Young Tigresses started strongly, frequently launching counter-attacks against Australia’s possession-based approach.
Sulanjana Raul advanced down the left in the fourth minute, bypassed her marker, and delivered a low cross to Sibani Devi Nongmeikapam, who was forced into a tough angle before losing possession. Moments later, Anju Chanu Kayenpaibam’s cross from the opposite side was intercepted.
Australia midfielder Avaani Prakash created the first real chance when she was played through on the right and fired a shot that was saved by India’s goalkeeper Monalisha Devi Moirangthem. Soon after, Anju attempted a long-range free-kick, but it went over the bar.
The Young Matildas scored their first goal in the 38th minute when Cindy Colney brought down Butrus inside the Indian box, awarding a penalty. Halmarick converted it. Just a minute later, she doubled the lead with a header from a cross by Peta Trimis.
Halmarick completed her hat-trick in the 48th minute with a deflected shot. Butrus then made it 4-0 in the 54th minute, driving into the Indian box and pushing the ball past Monalisha.
India kept fighting, with Monalisha making saves off Trimis. Their best chance came in the 85th minute when Bhumika Devi Khumukcham crossed to Sibani, who headed wide.
Minutes later, Remi Thokchom made a crucial goalline clearance before substitute Daisy Brown scored Australia’s fifth in injury time, stealing the ball from Thoibisana Chanu Toijam and calmly finishing.
