Shillong, Apr 8: India won their last AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 match by defeating Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) 3-1 in Group C in Pathum Thani, Thailand, today afternoon.
India forward Sibani Devi Nongmeikapam (32’, 87’P) scored two after Bhumika Devi Khumukcham (26’) had put the Young Tigresses in the lead early on. Substitute Kao Hsin (90+3’) pulled one back for Chinese Taipei in the closing stages. It was India’s first win in the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup since 2004 and followed on from two heavy defeats against Japan and Australia.
However, India were later knocked out of the tournament when Uzbekistan defeated Jordan 4-0 in Group B. India needed the match to end in a draw to progress to the quarterfinals. The top two teams from each of the three groups plus the two best third-placed teams progressed and India missed out.
Nevertheless, the big news for Meghalaya is that the state’s goalkeeper Ribansi Jamu made her first appearance for the country in the tournament.
Having lost their first two matches against Japan (6-0) and Australia (5-0), the Young Tigresses looked eager to overturn their fortunes against Chinese Taipei and controlled the proceedings early on.
The Young Tigresses soon drew first blood in the 26th minute, when Sibani sent in a cross from the right, which was missed by both Lhingdeikim and Sulanjana Raul. However, an unmarked Bhumika, running in at the far post, smashed it in first time, as the ball took a deflection off a defender before bulging the net.
Sibani turned scorer soon after, when she wrestled her marker to get her head on a bouncing ball. After winning the duel, she hared into the box and unleashed a left-footed half-volley that beat the goalkeeper at the far post.
With momentum well and truly on their side, India surged forward in waves of attacks. Remi Thokchom had her effort saved, while Sulanjana, who tried to chip the keeper, sent her effort wide.
Chinese Taipei began to make their way back in the latter stages of the first half, however, Ribansi made a couple of smart saves to keep out Li Chun-mei and Tzu-yu Chuan.
Taiwan started the second half with a few chances, Chuan heading a Liao Jie-ning free-kick a foot over the cross-bar. However, India soon regained control of the proceedings and dictated terms close to the Chinese Taipei penalty area.
They came close to making it three in the 72nd minute, when a free-kick by substitute Neha landed kindly for Sibani, whose header was tipped onto the crossbar by Chinese Taipei goalkeeper Jian Yu-jie. While the rebound fell to Pooja, the latter headed it over.
India earned a late penalty for a Chinese Taipei handball inside their box, which Sibani converted in the 87th minute, leaving no doubts about the result, even though Kao Hsin pulled one back in injury time for the East Asian island nation.
(All India Football Federation photo)
