India has finally ended its 22-year wait for the U20 Women’s Asian Cup victory. On Wednesday, April 8, India’s U20 women’s national football team defeated Chinese Taipei in their final Group C match at the ongoing AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026 by 3-1 held at the Pathum Thani Stadium in Pathum Thani.
India registered its first win in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup since 2004. Thus victory is also their first in any women’s Asian Cup level after 2005. Indian goals came from forward Sibani Devi Nongmeikapam, who scored two, while Bhumika Devi Khumukcham and substitute Kao Hsin added one each.
The Young Tigresses finished in third place in Group C with three points but it is enough for them to qualify for the knockout stage. India missed out on the quarter-finals in a goal difference of -9 to Vietnam (-5) and Uzbekistan (-4). Had the match between Uzbekistan and Jordan, which was played the same day, ended in a draw they would have qualified. Uzbekistan had won 4-0.
The Indian team had lost their first two matches against Japan (0-6) and Australia (0-5), but they turned things around in their final clash against Chinese Taipei.
The Young Tigresses got their first goal in the 26th minute as Sibani sent in a cross from the right with Bhumika throwing it past the defender before bulging the net. Sibani got her second soon after going for a left-footed half-volley at the far post that went past the goalkeeper.
India got the lead by 2-0 and continued to strike as Remi Thokchom and Sulanjana tried to add more goals. But the Chinese Taipei tried to make their breakthrough in the first half but India’s goalkeeper Ribansi Jamu, while making her debut appearance in the tournament, made smart saves to edge out Li Chun-mei and Tzu-yu Chuan.
In the second quarter, the Blue Magpies got a few chances with Chuan going for a free-kick a foot over the cross-bar. India regained control. They were close to adding their third goal in the 72nd minute through a free-kick from substitute Neha to Sibani but her header was tipped by Chinese Taipei goalkeeper Jian Yu-jie.
India were handed a late penalty inside their box, but in the 87th minute Sibani converted it and added the third goal for her team and giving India the lead by 3-1.
India U20 Women Squad of Asia Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026
Ribansi Jamu (GK), Thoibisana Chanu Toijam, Pooja (Shilji Shaji 84’), Sibani Devi Nongmeikapam, Lhingdeikim, Bhumika Devi Khumukcham, Remi Thokchom, Shubhangi Singh (C) (Shruti Kumari 67’), Anju Chanu Kayenpaibam, Sulanjana Raul (Neha 67’), Cindy Colney
