Pathum Thani (Thailand), April 2 India suffered a 0-6 defeat at the hands of formidable Japan in their opening match of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup at the Thammasat Stadium here on Thursday.
Six-time champions Japan took the lead early on through an own goal by Thoibisana Chanu Toijam (12th minute).
However, it was only in the second half that Japan truly started to trouble the Young Tigresses, with Miki Kimura (54th), Noa Fukushima (57th), Natsumi Tago (75th), Miyu Matsunaga (81st) and Yura Honda (87th) all scoring one each.
India, playing their first Asian Cup match in 20 years, had a good start early on, with Shubhangi Singh and Sulanjana Raul combining well on the left to set Sibani Devi Nongmeikapam through. However, the latter's low cross was intercepted.
Japan quickly responded, and two minutes later, Kimura struck the crossbar with her left-footed effort.
They got the early lead they wanted, although luck may have been on their side for the opening goal. Fukushima's accurate free-kick from the right flank found the head of Japan defender Mitsuki Ota inside the Indian box. While it was somewhat of a glancing header, it struck India centre-back Thoibisana's feet before completely changing direction and going in.
Despite the difference in quality, India did not lose hope and continued to look for a way back into the match.
Monalisha made a smart save off Anon Tsuda, before Sulanjana made a fine run down the left at the other end. The latter drilled in a low cross, but it was just inches from Lhingdeikim's feet.
The Young Tigresses began to grow into the game as the half-hour mark approached, and a 24th-minute free-kick by Anju Chanu Kayenpaibam found the head of Thoibisana inside the Japan box, but the centre-back was flagged offside.
While India gave a good account of themselves in the first half, Japan tightened their grip on the game after the change of ends. Five minutes into the restart, Fukushima struck the woodwork from a free-kick.
Four minutes later, their lead was doubled when Haruko Suzuki's cross from the left evaded everyone, before finding Kimura on the right. The winger cut in and unleashed a left-footer that struck India goalkeeper Monalisha Devi Moirangthem's palm, before going in.
Japan scored their third in the 57th minute when Fukushima, played into the box, pushed it past the Indian keeper, making it 3-0.
Joakim Alexandersson's side looked completely out of sorts, and a long-range shot from outside the box by substitute Tago made it 4-0, hitting the inside of the upright on its way in.
Matsunaga and Honda scored two more in the closing stages as Japan ran away with the big win.
Australia defeated Chinese Taipei 5-0 earlier in the day.
The top two teams, along with two of the best third-place finishers across the three groups, will progress to the knockout stage.
India will next play Australia on April 5 and Chinese Taipei on April 8.