India vs Japan Player Ratings: Indian players disappoint in AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 clash against Japan

Heavy defeat to Japan sees India’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 hopes fade

It was a devastating night for the India women’s national football team as they suffered a heavy defeat against the Japan women’s national football team in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026.

Japan ran riot on the night, scoring double-digit goals in a dominant performance that left India stunned. The crushing loss significantly dents India’s hopes of progressing further in the tournament, while also putting their dream of qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in serious danger.

Under the guidance of Amelia Valverde, India endured a very difficult outing as Japan controlled the tempo from the start and capitalized on several defensive lapses to secure a convincing win. It was a night to forget for the Blue Tigresses, who struggled to cope with the pace, movement, and clinical finishing of their opponents.

With their qualification hopes now hanging by a thread, India will need to quickly regroup and shift focus to their upcoming clash against the Chinese Taipei women’s national football team.

Before that, let us take a look at the player ratings from both India and Japan following this tough encounter.

India Women’s National Football Team Player Ratings (by Ayushman Sharma)

Panthoi Chanu- 3/10

Despite India women’s national football team conceding 11 against Japan women’s national football team in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, Chanu made a few key saves.

She made some mistakes, but the scoreline could have been worse. One of India’s few positives alongside Manisha Kalyan.

Sarita Yumnam- 2/10

A very difficult debut for Sarita Yumnam in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 against the Japan women’s national football team.

The defender struggled to make an impact and was largely absent as India women’s national football team were put under constant pressure.

Juli Kishan- 2/10

A below-average outing for Juli Kishan as she struggled to make an impact during the game. It was a largely quiet and uninspiring performance on a tough night for the India women’s national football team.

Sweety Devi (C)- 2.5/10

The captain tried to hold the defense together and cannot be completely blamed for the result.

However, she looked a bit rusty and struggled on a difficult night for the India women’s national football team.

Martina Thokchom- 2/10

A difficult outing for Martina Thokchom, who once again looked out of position. Playing defensively did not suit her natural role, and she struggled to cope on a tough night for the India women’s national football team.

Sanju Yadav- 2/10

A poor performance from Sanju Yadav as she struggled to make an impact on the pitch. Her display raised further questions about her selection, especially considering her performance in the previous match.

Sangita Basfore- 2/10 

Failed to make an impact in midfield and often looked absent from the game. She was largely outclassed by the Japan women’s national football team on a difficult night for the India women’s national football team.

Aveka Singh 2/10

A debut to forget for the young midfielder. She looked nervous on the pitch and struggled to get into the game, failing to make a meaningful impact for the India women’s national football team.

Soumya Guguloth- 2.5/10

Showed a few sparks in attack but struggled to stay involved in the game. Despite some moments going forward, she was largely absent for long periods on a tough night for the India women’s national football team.

Manisha Kalyan 3.5/10

Tried to make things happen in the final third and showed some intent going forward. However, she remained largely isolated upfront and couldn’t make a real impact for the India women’s national football team.

Pyari Xaxa 2/10

A very quiet performance as she was largely absent from the game and failed to make any real impact for the India women’s national football team.

Substitutes

Grace Dangmei- 2/10

Came on in the second half in place of Pyari Xaxa but couldn’t make much of an impact as India women’s national football team continued to struggle.

Astam Oraon- 2/10

Came on in place of Soumya Guguloth but failed to make an impact. Like many others, she struggled to influence the game for the India women’s national football team.

B. Lisham- 2/10

Came on in the second half in place of Aveka Singh but struggled to influence the game as India women’s national football team continued to find it difficult.

Kaviya P.- 1.5/10

Similar to the last game, she looked poor after coming on in the second half for Sanju Yadav and struggled to make any real impact for the India women’s national football team.

Lynda Kom- N/A

Came on in the final minutes and did not have enough time to make an impact. It remains unclear why she has not been given more opportunities with the India women’s national football team.

Japan Women’s National Football Team Player Ratings (by Yash)

Chika Hirao – 7/10

Chika Hirao managed to keep another clean sheet for Japan at the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup. She is one of the four goalkeepers who have not conceded a single goal in the tournament so far. 

Saki Kumagai – 8/10

Saki Kumagai kept Manisha Kalyan in check with her swift movements at the right back position. She also went high up the pitch and executed key passes in the process.

All in all, she came up with a good performance.

Miyabi Moriya – 8/10

Miyabi Moriya kept things really tight at the back. She did not allow the Indian players with a lot of space. Moriya was spot on with her ball distribution as she completed the majority of her passes.

Toko Koga – 8/10

Toko Koga also had a wonderful outing for Japan. She stood up to the occasion really well and guarded the backline with her heart on her sleeves.

Koga also executed a lot of her passes with perfection and maintained a good passing accuracy.

Yuzuki Yamamoto – 9/10

Yuzuki Yamamoto put up a really impressive performance for Japan against India. She played like a menace and troubled the Indian players with her pace and trickery.

Yamamoto set up Maya Hijikata and Yui Hasegawa and racked up two assists and also scored a goal.

Hinata Miyazawa – 10/10

Hinata Miyazawa was undoubtedly Japan’s best player on the pitch against India. She looked brilliant in the middle of the park and scored three goals in the process while recording an assist.

Miyazawa racked up four goal contributions, the most by any player in the game. 

Honoka Hayashi – 8/10

Honoka Hayashi was Japan’s engine in the middle of the park. She executed multiple line breaking passes and caught the Indian defenders by surprise and executed one assist in the process.

Yui Hasegawa – 8.5/10

Yui Hasegawa put up a captain’s performance and took her side to a perfect 11-0 win over India. Hasegawa led her side from the front and made important contributions in the middle of the pitch while scoring and assisting a goal each.

Remina Chiba – 7/10

Remina Chiba was up to the task with her pace and perfect movements with the ball. She caused multiple problems for the Indian players through the right flank and kept them on their toes throughout the game.

Mina Tanaka – 7.5/10

Mina Tanaka could have performed even better, but couldn’t finish all the chances that came her way. Tanaka did not score a goal, but she set up Hinaka Miyazawa for a goal just before half-time.

Kiko Seike – 8/10

Kiko Seike also recorded a memorable outing against India. She brought her best game to the table and caused issues for India through the left flank. Seike scored two goals, including one through a penalty late in the first half.

Substitutes 

Yui Narumiya – 7.5/10

Yui Narumiya came on in the 46th minute for Remina Chiba and what an impact she made just after coming one. Narumiya set up Riko ueki for Japan’s sixth goal in the 50th minute.

Riko Ueki – 10/10

Riko Ueki did not start the game for Japan, but finished it really well. She came off the bench and was an instant hit. Ueki racked up four goal contributions in just 45 minutes, including a hattrick and an assist.

Maya Hijikata – 8/10

Maya came on as replacement of the skipper in the beginning of the second half. She made her chance count with a goal and an assist.

Moeka Minami – 7/10

Moeka replaced Yuzuki Yamamoto in the second half. She did not record any attacking contributions but stood like a wall at the back for Japan.

Maika Hamano – 7/10

Maika Hamano came in during the later stages of the second half. She was involved in the attacking moves for Japan, but couldn’t get an assist or a goal to her name.

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