NEW DELHI: India suffered a 0-6 drubbing at the hands of Japan in their AFC Under-20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 opener on Thursday at the Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani, Thailand.
The Young Tigresses began proceedings on an attacking note, but it was the Young Nadeshiko who opened the account in the 12th minute through an own goal off Thoibisana Chanu Toijam. The Indians managed to keep the scoreline at 0-1 at half-time.
Japan doubled its lead through Miki Kimura in the 54th minute, which opened the floodgates. Noa Fukushima, Natsumi Tago, Miyu Matsunaga, and Yura Honda compounded India’s troubles with a goal each, peppered across the remainder of the half.
India is placed in Group C, along with Australia and Chinese Taipei. Earlier in the day, the Australians handed Chinese Taipei a 5-0 defeat.
Joakim Alexandersson’s India next plays Australia on April 5. Only the top two teams across three groups, and the two best third-placed sides will advance to the quarterfinals. Agencies
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