After 20 years, India U20 played their first Asian Cup match on Thursday, April 2 at the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026 at the Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani, Thailand. India’s U20 women’s national team played their tournament opener against Japan which they had lost decisively by 0-6. Thoibisana Chanu Toijam, Miki Kimura, Noa Fukushima, Natsumi Tago, Miyu Matsunaga, and Yura Honda, were the Japanese goal scorers.
The Indians had a good start early on, with Shubhangi Singh and Sulanjana Raul who were trying to set up Sibani Devi Nongmeikapam but failed. Japan responded quickly with Kimura scoring the goal with her left foot to get the early lead. The team added another after Japan defender Mitsuki Ota found the ball from Fukushima’s free-kick from the right flank, setting it into a goal.
India tried their best to add a score and in the 21st minute, Monalisha got a save from Anon Tsuda, while Sulanjana tried to make a run from the other end. She tried a low cross, but Japan’s Lhingdeikim, who was near the ball, defended it. Later in the 24th minute, Anju Chanu Kayenpaibam got a free kick but Thoibisana declined the attempt.
Japan took the lead in the latter half of the game. With five minutes into the second quarter, Fukushima struck a free-kick but their lead was doubled when Haruko Suzuki’s cross found Kimura who then cut in and attempted a left-foot goal. The ball first touched the Indian goalkeeper Monalisha Devi Moirangthem’s palm before heading into the net.
Japan got their third in the 57th minute through Fukushima who scored past the Indian keeper to give her team a 3-0 lead. Coach Joakim Alexandersson’s side was well-headed into the match. The team gets another through substitute Tago who attempts a long-range grounded shot from outside the box, and hits it right inside. The final two goals came from Matsunaga and Honda and Japan ended with a big win.
The Japanese team named Young Nadeshiko now sits at the top of Group C of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 rankings. India, with the defeat, is placed at the bottom.
Earlier in the day, Australia had defeated Chinese Taipei by a decisive 5-0 score and is now sitting in second and third place respectively in the group. India have their next game scheduled against Australia on Sunday, April 5.
