Sydney, March 10 – India failed to qualify for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 after losing 1-3 to Chinese Taipei in their final Group C match at the Western Sydney Stadium in Sydney on Tuesday.
Chinese Taipei took a 2-1 lead at halftime.
Su Yu-hsuan (12’) gave Chinese Taipei the lead, followed by Manisha Kalyan (39’) who equalized for India. However, Hsu Yi-yun (45+8’) restored Chinese Taipei's lead in the first half, and Chen Yu-ting (77’) extended their advantage in the second half.
India coach Amelia Valverde made two changes to the starting XI, bringing in Shilky Devi Hemam and Nirmala Devi Phanjoubam. India needed a victory and at least two goals to have a chance of qualifying for the knockout rounds.
The Blue Tigresses started strongly, with a Manisha corner almost resulting in a goal in the second minute. Soumya Guguloth saved a corner shot, and Pyari Xaxa then capitalized on the rebound, causing confusion in the Chinese Taipei defence.
Chinese Taipei countered with Chen Jin-wen shooting wide from inside the Indian box.
India had a similar chance at the other end, with Nirmala passing to Manisha, who then passed to Soumya, who also narrowly missed.
India goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu Elangbam made a good save off a YC Chen shot in the 10th minute, but was left stranded a couple of minutes later when a double error at the back gave Chinese Taipei the lead. Martina Thokchom misjudged a clearance in her half, allowing JW Chen on the right.
Sanju managed to intercept the ball and attempted to pass it back to Panthoi. However, the fullback’s pass was unsuccessful, and JW Chen promptly passed to YH Su to score an empty-net goal.
India still needed to score twice, as a 2-1 win would have also been enough. A 26th-minute Pyari cross into the box saw Sanfida Nongrum attempt to score, but she only managed to collide with the opposing goalkeeper.
India finally equalized with a free-kick 25 yards out. Huang Ke-sin's push on Soumya in the 38th minute led to the Video Assistant Referee intervening, as a possible red card offence was being checked.
However, VAR deemed the referee's original decision of a yellow card for Huang to be correct.
A minute later, Manisha produced a powerful free-kick that hit the underside of the crossbar and went out of play, before being cleared. VAR was called again, and India were awarded a goal, leveling the score.
Panthoi, who had made numerous saves in the Asian Cup, made another excellent save in the first half injury time, when YC Chen’s shot hit the India goalkeeper in the face. While the immediate danger was averted, disaster struck a minute later, when Chinese Taipei were awarded a penalty. YY Hsu stepped up, but only managed to hit the woodwork.
However, the ball struck Panthoi, who had dived correctly, and rolled over the line for Chinese Taipei to regain the lead.
Down by a goal, India started the second half with greater intent, with Rimpa Haldar replacing Soumya Guguloth. Manisha, who had been wide on the right, cut inside and shot, but it went wide.
At the other end, captain Sweety Devi Ngangbam made a crucial block off a YH Su shot, minutes before Panthoi made another brilliant save, this time denying the attacker who had been through on goal.
However, India's repeated attempts to get back on level terms ultimately proved unsuccessful. YY Hsu played YC Chen through behind the India back-four, and the latter rounded Panthoi and scored an empty-net goal. Both Panthoi and Sweety had to be stretchered off after colliding.
India had a few chances in the closing stages, with Sanfida having her 86th-minute volley blocked by Teng Pei-lin, while Manisha’s 89th-minute free-kick took a deflection before substitute goalkeeper Chen Ssu-yu swiped it away. The Chinese Taipei substitute goalkeeper had to make yet another save off a Manisha free-kick in the last minute of regulation time.
Manisha looked destined to score a second goal, and a minute later she managed to get a header onto a Kaviya Pakkirisamy corner, only to see it thud onto the upright.