India Suffers Last-Minute 2-1 Defeat to Vietnam in AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Opener

The Indian women’s football team suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat against Vietnam in their opening Group C match of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 at the Perth Rectangular Stadium in Australia on Wednesday.

Vietnam’s Ngân Thi Van Su scored both goals for her team in the 30th minute and deep into stoppage time (90+4’). Sanfida Nongrum scored the lone goal for India in the 52nd minute.

This match marked India’s return to the main draw of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup for the first time since 2003.

Ranked 67th in the FIFA women’s rankings, India made a confident start against world No. 36 Vietnam. The Blue Tigresses recorded the first shot on target when Sangita Basfore tested Vietnamese goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh with a powerful attempt from outside the box in the eighth minute.

As the game progressed, Vietnam gradually took control of the midfield and began to dominate possession. In the 14th minute, Nguyen Thi Bích Thùy came close to scoring with a curling long-range shot that beat Indian goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu but struck the crossbar.

Chanu made several crucial saves as Vietnam intensified their attacking efforts. Vietnam finally broke the deadlock in the 30th minute when Ngân Thi Van Su struck a powerful shot into the top corner, leaving Chanu with no chance.

India nearly equalized in the 40th minute following a brilliant piece of play from Manisha Kalyan in midfield. However, Soumya Guguloth and Pyari Xaxa were unable to convert the opportunity.

Vietnam also created chances to extend their lead, but the first half ended with India trailing 1-0.

Shortly after the restart, Vietnam appeared to double their lead through Thái Thi Thao. However, the goal was overturned by VAR due to a handball during the build-up inside the six-yard box.

The decision gave India renewed confidence, and the equaliser came soon after. Second-half substitute Sanfida Nongrum found space inside the box and fired the ball past the Vietnamese goalkeeper to make it 1-1 in the 52nd minute.

India looked dangerous afterward, with Pyari Xaxa and Nongrum attempting to score again. In the 77th minute, Nguyen Thi Bích Thùy dribbled past Indian defenders and aimed for goal, but Panthoi Chanu came forward quickly to narrow the angle and deny the attempt.

As the match entered the final minutes, Vietnam dominated possession and pressed forward. India defended strongly, hoping to secure a draw.

However, four minutes into the seven minutes of added time, Ngân Thi Van Su scored her second goal of the night to seal a dramatic 2-1 victory for Vietnam.

India will now face continental powerhouse Japan, ranked world No. 8, in their next AFC Women’s Asian Cup match on Saturday.