Van Su Ngan's winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time denies Blue Tigresses a point in their tournament opener.
India's historic Women's Asian Cup campaign, hosted in Australia, got off to the worst possible start as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Vietnam in their opening group game in Perth. Amelia Valverde's side fell behind when Van Su Ngan scored a stunning goal on the half-hour mark but got something to hold on to when halftime substitute Sanfida Nongrum scored on her national team debut shortly after the break. However, any hopes of snatching a massive point to build on was dashed when Su Ngan struck again to clinch all three points for her side. India's fight came to a frustrating end but the side of things suggested that Vietnam probably deserved the victory.
The Golden Star expectedly started the brightest as India felt the pressure of a major competition which they qualified on merit for the first time. Despite Panthoi Chanu making some important stops with the Blue Tigresses also getting the opponents in repeated offside trap, Vietnam still got the breakthrough when Thuy Nguyen ghosted behind the Indian center-back to layoff a pass for Su Ngan who scored with a brilliant curler. Neither Chanu nor the defense could do anything about it except not letting the move happen at the first place. Scrappy play and shaky defence kept Vietnam on ascendency but they failed to add more before half-time.
India's main chance in the first half was Manisha Kalyan's flick which Soumya Guguloth failed to control properly at first time and then fouling the opposition keeper. They also breathed a sign of relief when Vietnam's second goal after some shoddy defending shortly after the break was ruled out for offside However, things would take a turn when two half-time substitutes Rimpa Halder and Sanfida Nongrum combined for the equaliser only five minutes into the second half. The former's inward run forced a clearance which felt kindly to the Sanfida whose flick took a touch of the keeper and rested into the net. It was a moment to savour for the 20-year-old who scored her first for the national team in her debut at a stage like this.
Yet her moment could have been the memorable and deciding factor in the match if not her team threw it away in the last minutes of the game. Even though India looked incisive after the equaliser drawing motivation and energy from it, Vietnam still posed a gigantic threat with their attack and continue to put the shaky Indian defense into test. That ultimately yielded reward for them as in the fourth of seven minutes of extra-time, due to injury delays for Chanu and center-back Sweety Devi, as Van Su Ngan completed her brace by scoring the winner from the close range. India were left empty handed and all to do in the next two games if they want to escape the group stages.
Questionable selection from Valverde
The way India started their tournament opener against Vietnam was apparent that head coach Amelia Valverde had got her selection wrong considering Blue Tigresses looked a much different side in the second period. Letting 30-year-old Dangmei Grace to lead the line as an out and out striker, a role she is not recognised for, with Pyari Xaxa in an withdrawal striker or number 10 role did not combine well for India. Although Manisha Kalyan got a few half chances to drive forward on the left, Soumya Guguloth was virtually absent from the match on the right except for the chance later on in the first half.
That chance also came because Manisha came into a more central role and occupied Vietnamese defenders which was severely lacking before in the play. Valverde changed it to introduce more direct players in Rimpa Halder and Sanfida Nongrum in the second half that got India back into the game amid a stroke of luck. However, her decision to take off Manisha just before stoppage time backfired as once again there was no one to hold the ball up. It took some pressure off the Vietnamese defense with the side taking the game to their favour completely.
Anju Tamang's absence felt
India was dealt with a huge blow when Anju Tamang was ruled out of the entire tournament with an injury even after getting named in the main squad. Her absence was felt throughout the game as the Blue Tigresses missed her energy, drive and creativity in the middle of the park. It left Valverde without a proper number 10 in the team which Tamang could have offered with her versatility to play almost anywhere. It forced Xaxa to be deployed in an unfamiliar role and also shift to the flanks when Manisha came inside stagnating her influence on the game too. Having two defensive midfielder without a functional 10 did not produce any creativity that became detrimental for India to have any control in the position. The Blue Tigresses also lacked a leadership figure which Tamang could have provided with her experience, having also played in the tournament before.
Defensive fragilities
There needs to be work done in the center-back combination of Martina Thokchom and Nirmala Devi as they lacked communication and backing of each other in the game. They were switched off in the first goal allowing Thuy Nguyen to lurk behind and set up Su Ngan's stunner. The early second half goal from Vietnam that was ruled out for offside also missed the head of both the defenders with Panthoi Chanu also at fault of not taking matters into her hand in clearing the cross. The flanks also looked weak as Sweety Devi on the right and Sanju Yadav on the left both looked unconvincing. The winner came from India's right with Sweety Devi beaten in both instances in dealing with the long pass and then stopping the cross, with the game's opener also coming from that flank. Sanju's performance wasn't great either with Vietnam dominating those areas of the pitch.
Is India's campaign already over?
India came into the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 with big hearts as it is their first tournament on the Asian stage on merit after such a memorable qualifiers in which they beat tournament regulars Thailand to book their place. Yet, the 2-1 defeat to Vietnam in their much anticipated tournament opener left them scrambling for survival already. A point would have been crucial to give them a chance to move into the knockouts and also a source of motivation. However, the defeat creates a major blockade. The Blue Tigresses have two remaining crunching group games to navigate their chance to move into the quarterfinals and fight for one of the desired Women's World Cup places, as one of the best third place teams, the most possible spot they can have. Their next game is against former tournament winners Japan, the most feared side in the group, three days later on 10 March 2026. Damage limitation will be the priority in the matchup as a terrible defeat may end all their hopes as even if a win against Chinese Taipei in the final group game to finish third in the group, supposedly, may not be enough if goal difference is compromised severely.
