Perth [Australia], March 7 (ANI): The Indian senior ladies’s nationwide workforce suffered a 0-11 loss by the hands of Japan of their second Group C match of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 on the Perth Rectangular Stadium in Perth, Australia, on Saturday, March 7, 2026. The former World Cup and Asian Cup champions led by 5 targets at half-time.
Japan’s Hinata Miyazawa (20′, 35′, 81′) and Riko Ueki (47′, 50′, 65′) scored a hat-trick every. Kiko Seike (45+5′ p, 55′) scored two, whereas Yuzuki Yamamoto (4′), Yui Hasegawa (13′), and Maya Hijikata (62′) netted one every, in accordance with the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
The Blue Tigresses are at the moment backside of Group C with zero factors and a -12 purpose distinction. However, the outcome just isn’t a killer blow for India, as a victory towards Chinese Taipei by a two-goal margin of their remaining Group Stage match on Tuesday, March 10, coupled with a Japan victory towards Vietnam, will see India end second within the group and progress to the quarter-finals.
India head coach Amelia Valverde made three adjustments to the beginning XI, bringing in Juli Kishan, together with debutants Aveka Singh and Sarita Yumnam, rather than Grace Dangmei, Nirmala Devi Phanjoubam, and Shilky Devi Hemam.
The Nadeshiko obtained off the blocks rapidly and by no means actually let their foot off the pedal, taking the lead within the fourth minute with a high quality roller from Yamamoto, who reduce inside from the proper and positioned the ball into the highest nook together with her left foot.
India had little likelihood to enterprise out of their field, enjoying with 5 defenders, with Manisha Kalyan the lone determine up high, attempting to catch stray clearances to play to her teammates. The Japan defence, nonetheless, had been fast to nip any fledgling Indian assault within the bud, a development that lasted nearly all of the 90 minutes.
The world quantity eight workforce doubled their lead within the thirteenth minute, when Yamamoto turned supplier, swerving previous Sanju from the proper once more, earlier than slicing it again for her captain Hasegawa to attain from contained in the field. Hasegawa, in flip, grew to become the supplier for the following purpose, establishing Miyazawa for Japan’s third within the twentieth minute.
The Blue Tigresses had been properly and actually pinned again, with centre-backs Sweety Devi Ngangbam, Juli Kishan, and Martina Thokchom preventing tooth and nail. Goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu Elangbam made a flurry of saves to stop Japan from inflicting additional injury.
However, the 2014 and 2018 Asian Cup champions mixed their wingers and midfielders to isolate the India wing-backs and create probabilities, particularly down each flanks. Midfielder Honoka Hayashi, within the thirty fifth minute, slipped one between the traces to Miyazawa, who poked it previous Panthoi to attain the fourth on the close to submit.
Seconds earlier than the half-time whistle, Japan had been awarded a penalty after the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) deemed Sweety to have dedicated a foul on Saki Kumagai contained in the India field. Seike calmly despatched Panthoi the unsuitable method from the spot-kick.
Not a lot modified within the second half, as Ueki, who got here on in its place at half-time, scored two in fast succession, earlier than Seike added the eighth purpose with a tap-in.
Just over the hour mark, Hijikata scored the ninth together with her header, whereas Ueki accomplished her hat-trick within the sixty fifth minute with yet one more header from contained in the field.
Miyazawa additionally accomplished her hat-trick with 9 minutes of regulation time left, scoring one other tap-in, as Japan’s superior wingplay opened up the Indian defence.
India: Panthoi Chanu Elangbam (GK), Sweety Devi Ngangbam (C), Juli Kishan, Sangita Basfore, Soumya Guguloth (Kaviya Pakkirisamy 73′), Sanju (Astam Oraon 73′), Pyari Xaxa (Grace Dangmei 57′), Martina Thokchom, Manisha (Lynda Kom Serto 88′), Aveka Singh (Babina Devi Lisham 57′), Sarita Yumnam. (ANI)