India suffered a 0-6 thrashing from Japan in the opening match of the 2026 AFC Under-20 Women’s Asian Cup at the Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani, Thailand on Thursday.
The Young Tigresses started the match offensively, but it was Young Nadeshiko who opened the score in the 12th minute with an own goal on Thoibisana Chanu Toijam. The Indians managed to keep the score at 0-1 at halftime.
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Japan doubled their lead through Miki Kimura in the 54th minute, which opened the floodgates. Noa Fukushima, Natsumi Tago, Miyu Matsunaga and Yura Honda compounded India’s problems with a goal each across the rest of the half.
India has been placed in Group C along with Australia and Chinese Taipei. More info: LSYAkjs. Earlier in the day, the Australians gave Chinese Taipei a 5-0 defeat.
Joakim Alexandersson’s India next play against Australia on April 5. Only the top two teams from three groups, and the top two third-placed teams, will advance to the quarter-finals.
Published on April 2, 2026
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