Blue Tigresses Outclassed by Japan but Quarter-Final Hopes Still Alive

Image: AIFF

India endured a difficult evening in Perth as the Blue Tigresses suffered a heavy 11-0 defeat against Japan in their second Group C match of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 at the Perth Rectangular Stadium on Saturday.

Despite the scoreline, India remain in the race for the quarter-finals. A victory by a two-goal margin against Chinese Taipei in their final group match on Tuesday, March 10, will see the Blue Tigresses finish second in the group and secure a place in the knockout stage.

Japan, former Asian Cup and World Cup champions, were relentless throughout the contest and led 5-0 at half-time. Hinata Miyazawa and Riko Ueki scored hat-tricks for the Nadeshiko, while Kiko Seike netted twice. Yuzuki Yamamoto, Yui Hasegawa and Maya Hijikata also added their names to the scoresheet.

Japan Start Strong

India head coach Amelia Valverde made three changes to the starting line-up, introducing Juli Kishan along with debutants Aveka Singh and Sarita Yumnam in place of Grace Dangmei, Nirmala Devi Phanjoubam and Shilky Devi Hemam.

Japan wasted little time asserting their dominance. In the fourth minute, Yuzuki Yamamoto cut in from the right and curled a superb left-footed effort into the top corner to give the Nadeshiko an early lead.

The world number eight side doubled their advantage in the 13th minute when Yamamoto turned provider. After beating Sanju on the right flank, she delivered a precise cutback for captain Yui Hasegawa to finish from inside the box.

Seven minutes later, Japan added a third. Hasegawa threaded a clever pass through the Indian defence for Hinata Miyazawa, who calmly slotted the ball past goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu Elangbam.

Defensive Battle for India

Pinned deep in their own half, India struggled to build attacks. Manisha Kalyan operated as the lone forward, trying to chase down long clearances, but Japan’s defence quickly snuffed out any promising moves.

At the other end, Panthoi was kept busy and produced several saves to limit the damage. Centre-backs Sweety Devi Ngangbam, Juli Kishan and Martina Thokchom fought hard against the relentless Japanese attack.

Japan’s fourth goal arrived in the 35th minute when Honoka Hayashi slipped a pass through to Miyazawa, who finished at the near post.

Just before half-time, Japan were awarded a penalty after the Video Assistant Referee ruled that Sweety had fouled Saki Kumagai inside the area. Kiko Seike converted from the spot in stoppage time to make it 5-0 at the break.

Japan Continue the Onslaught

Japan maintained their attacking momentum after the restart. Substitute Riko Ueki struck twice in quick succession shortly after coming on, scoring in the 47th and 50th minutes to further extend the lead.

Seike added another in the 55th minute with a simple finish before Maya Hijikata headed in Japan’s ninth goal just past the hour mark.

Ueki completed her hat-trick in the 65th minute with another header inside the penalty area, while Miyazawa wrapped up her own hat-trick late in the match with a tap-in in the 81st minute.

Still a Chance

Although the result leaves India at the bottom of Group C with a negative goal difference, qualification hopes remain alive heading into the final group match.

A strong result against Chinese Taipei could still see the Blue Tigresses advance to the quarter-finals, giving them a chance to bounce back after a challenging night against one of Asia’s strongest teams.