Three areas India must improve ahead of Australia and Chinese Taipei clash in AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup 2026

India conceded half dozen goals in campaign opener

The Indian U-20 Women’s team kick-started their AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 campaign against Japan U-20 in Pathum Thani, Thailand. India have been drawn alongside Asian giants like Japan, Australia and Chinese Taipei in a difficult Group C.

In the opening fixture of Group C, it was Australia who thrashed Chinese Taipei 5-0, and the Indian team had an uphill task to play against Japan. The game began with an unfortunate goal from India’s Thoibisana in the 12th minute, but the girls did a commendable job to hold Japan to just 1-0 in the first 45 minutes.

But the second half had a tragic story for the Indian team, who went on to concede around five goals in the last 45 minutes. After Mona failed to save Kimuara’s shot, it was Japan who went on to score a flurry of goals against the Indian team.

But the Asian dream is far from over for the Indian team. If India can replicate what they did in the first half, they can trouble Australia and can even aspire to win against Chinese Taipei in the next two big games, which will determine India’s fate in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026

In this article, we take a look at the areas where the Indian women’s team can improve ahead of two big games against Australia and Chinese Taipei.

Weak Indian midfield losing control

The Indian wingers and the defenders kept the game under control till the first 45 minutes. But a terrible performance from the midfielders saw Japan slowly exerting pressure and commanding the presence in the centre of the park.

India had four midfielders in the match, but it was Bhumika and the wingers who tried putting pressure on Japan. Apart from that, India lost possession of the ball easily and failed to resist the counter-attacking threats from Japan.

This continued even in the second half, and Japan left no stone unturned to expose the vulnerabilities in the Indian midfield.

Poor counterattacks and lack of finishing

Credit where it’s due to the Indian wingers who did a fantastic job in the first 45 minutes, and the Indian team did make circle entries into Japan’s penalty box. But there were no proper finishing and outcome to those counterattacks.

Shibani Devi was brilliant from the flanks, and at times, the Japanese players found it difficult to match her speed and acceleration. India kept the scoreline respectable until the first half, and had India converted those chances, it could have altogether been a different story for India.

Poor goalkeeping from Mona

It was truly a tale of two contrasting halves for Monalisha, whose performance mirrored India’s fortunes against Japan. In the first half, the goalkeeper was one of India’s standout performers, producing a series of assured interventions and brave saves to keep the Japanese attackers at bay.

Her sharp reflexes, command inside the box, and ability to deal with the early pressure helped India remain competitive despite Japan’s dominance in possession and attacking intent.

However, the second half unfolded very differently, as Monalisha endured a difficult spell between the sticks. A few questionable decisions and lapses in judgment proved costly for India at a crucial stage of the contest. The turning point came in the 54th minute when Mona failed to gather what seemed to be a relatively straightforward effort, allowing Kimura to capitalize and double Japan’s advantage.

That moment significantly shifted the momentum of the game, handing Japan complete control and denting India’s confidence.

Following that error, the floodgates well and truly opened. Japan grew in confidence and intensity, repeatedly exploiting India’s defensive frailties and piling relentless pressure on the backline.

With the momentum firmly on their side, the Japanese side went on to score half a dozen goals, turning what had been a hard-fought first-half contest into a one-sided second-half rout for India.

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