3 min learnApr 2, 2026 11:54 PM IST
India suffered a 0-6 defeat by the hands of formidable Japan of their opening match of the AFC U20 Girls’s Asian Cup on the Thammasat Stadium right here on Thursday. Six-time champions Japan obtained the lead early on by means of an personal objective by Thoibisana Chanu Toijam (twelfth minute).
Nevertheless, it was not till the second half that Japan actually managed to start out hurting the Younger Tigresses, with Miki Kimura (54th), Noa Fukushima (57th), Natsumi Tago (seventy fifth), Miyu Matsunaga (81st) and Yura Honda (87th) netting one every.
India, taking part in their first Asian Cup match in 20 years, had a very good begin early on, with Shubhangi Singh and Sulanjana Raul combining nicely on the left to set Sibani Devi Nongmeikapam by means of. The latter’s low cutback, nonetheless, was intercepted.
Japan, nonetheless, had been fast to reply, and two minutes later, Kimura thudded the crossbar together with her left-footed effort.
They obtained the early lead that they wished, although luck could have been on their aspect for the opening objective. Fukushima’s correct free-kick from the best flank discovered the top of Japan defender Mitsuki Ota contained in the Indian field. Whereas it was considerably of a glancing header, it struck India centre-back Thoibisana’s toes earlier than completely altering route and entering into.
Whereas the gulf in high quality was there to see, India didn’t lose hope and stored probing for a method again into the match.
Monalisha made a sensible Twenty first-minute save off Anon Tsuda, earlier than Sulanjana made a high quality run down the left on the different finish. The latter drilled in a low cross, nevertheless it was inches from Lhingdeikim’s toes.
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The Younger Tigresses started to develop into the sport because the half-hour mark approached, and a Twenty fourth-minute free-kick by Anju Chanu Kayenpaibam discovered the top of Thoibisana contained in the Japan field, however the centre-back was flagged offside.
Whereas India gave a very good account of themselves within the first half, Japan tightened their grip on the sport after the change of ends. 5 minutes into the restart, Fukushima struck the woodwork from a free-kick.
4 minutes later, their lead was doubled when Haruko Suzuki’s cross from the left evaded every body, earlier than discovering Kimura on the best. The winger lower in and unleashed a left-footer that struck India goalkeeper Monalisha Devi Moirangthem’s palm, earlier than entering into.
Japan scored their third within the 57th minute when Fukushima, performed into the field, pushed it previous the Indian keeper, making it 3-0.
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Joakim Alexandersson’s aspect nicely and really regarded out of types, and a long-range grounded shot from outdoors the field by substitute Tago made it 4-0, hitting the within of the upright on its method in.
Matsunaga and Honda scored two extra within the closing levels as Japan ran away with the massive win. Australia defeated Chinese language Taipei 5-0 earlier within the day.
The highest two groups, together with two of the very best third-place finishers throughout the three teams, will progress to the knockout stage. India will subsequent play Australia on April 5 and Chinese language Taipei on April 8.