Shillong, Mar 10: India bowed out of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 after suffering a 3-1 defeat against Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) in their last Group C match at the Western Sydney Stadium in Sydney on Tuesday.
Taiwan took an early lead through Su Yu-hsuan (12’), before Manisha Kalyan (39’) drew India level. However, India went behind once again in the first half through Hsu Yi-yun (45+8’), before Chen Yu-ting (77’) extended Taiwan’s lead in the second half.
After being an unused substitute in the game against Japan, Sanfida Nongrum (pictured) made it to the starting lineup today. She had previously been used as a second half substitute versus Vietnam where she had also scored a goal.
The Blue Tigresses began with intent and a Manisha corner almost put them in the lead in the second minute. Soumya Guguloth had her header saved from the corner before Pyari Xaxa pounced on the rebound, causing confusion in the Chinese Taipei defence, before it was cleared.
India goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu Elangbam made a smart save off of a YC Chen shot in the 10th minute, but was left stranded a couple of minutes later, when a double error at the back gifted Chinese Taipei the lead. Martina Thokchom miscued a clearance in her half, as the ball rolled onto JW Chen on the right. Sanju managed to intercept it in time and attempted to play it back to Panthoi. However, the fullback’s pass lacked conviction and fell into the path of JW Chen, who promptly squared it to YH Su to tap it into an empty net.
India still needed to score twice, as a 2-1 win would also have been enough to qualify for the next round. A 26th-minute Pyari cross into the box saw Sanfida charge at the near post, but she only managed to collide with the opposition keeper.
India finally levelled the score when they got a free-kick some 25 yards out. Huang Ke-sin’s off-the-ball push on Soumya in the 38th minute got VAR into the action, as a possible red card offence was being checked. However, the VAR deemed the referee’s original decision of a yellow card to Huang was correct.
A minute later, Manisha produced a thunderous free-kick that struck the underside of the crossbar and bounced out of play, before being cleared. The VAR was once again called upon, and a goal was soon awarded to India, who had levelled the score.
Panthoi, who has made numerous saves in the Asian Cup, pulled off another blinder in the first half injury time, when YC Chen’s powerful effort struck the onrushing India goalkeeper on the face. While the immediate danger was averted, disaster struck a minute later, when Chinese Taipei were awarded a penalty. YY Hsu, who stepped up, however, only managed to hit the woodwork. However, the ball struck the back of Panthoi, who had dived in the correct direction, and rolled over the line for Chinese Taipei to take the lead once more.
In the second half India’s repeated attempts to get back on level terms ended up being their undoing. YY Hsu played YC Chen through behind the India back-four, as the latter rounded Panthoi and scored in an empty goal. Panthoi, while charging at Chen, collided with Sweety and both players had to be stretchered off.
India had a few chances in the closing stages, with Sanfida having her 86th-minute volley blocked by Teng Pei-lin, while Manisha’s 89th-minute free-kick took a deflection before substitute goalkeeper Chen Ssu-yu swiped it away. The Chinese Taipei substitute keeper, in the last minute of regulation time, had to make yet another save off of a Manisha free-kick.
The India forward looked destined to score a second goal, and a minute later she managed to get a free header onto a Kaviya Pakkirisamy corner, only to see it thud onto the upright.
(All India Football Federation photo)