India U-20 women suffer defeat against Japan in Asian Cup opener

India’s U-20 women’s team suffered a heavy 0-6 defeat against Japan in their opening match of the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup. Despite a positive start, India were outplayed in the second half by the six-time champions

Hyderabad: The Indian U-20 women’s national team suffered a 0-6 defeat at the hands of Japan in their opening match of the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026 at the Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani, Thailand, on Thursday.

The Young Nadeshiko led 1-0 at half-time.

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Six-time champions Japan got the lead early on through an own goal by Thoibisana Chanu Toijam (12’ og). However, it was not until the second half that they really managed to start hurting the Young Tigresses, with Miki Kimura (54’), Noa Fukushima (57’), Natsumi Tago (75’), Miyu Matsunaga (81’) and Yura Honda (87’) netting one each.

India, playing their first Asian Cup match in 20 years, had a good start early on, with Shubhangi Singh and Sulanjana Raul combining well on the left to set Sibani Devi Nongmeikapam through. The latter’s low cutback, however, was intercepted.