Pathum Thani (Thailand), April 7 – The Indian U20 women’s team will play against Chinese Taipei in a crucial match in their final Group C league game of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 in Pathum Thani, Thailand, on Wednesday.
After losing their first two matches against Japan and Australia, both India and Chinese Taipei find themselves in a similar situation, needing a win to have a chance of qualifying for the knockout stage.
India’s goal difference of -11 makes the situation more challenging than Chinese Taipei’s -7. The Indian team’s chances of reaching the knockout stage for the first time since 2004 depend on securing one of the two best third-placed teams across all groups.
A draw in either the Group A match between Vietnam and Bangladesh on Tuesday or the Group B match between Uzbekistan and Jordan on Wednesday would simplify their task. In that case, the winner of the India vs. Chinese Taipei match will qualify for the quarterfinals, regardless of goal difference. However, if both those matches end in a draw, India would need to beat Chinese Taipei by a significant margin to avoid being one of the worst-ranked third-placed teams. Currently, the goal differences of the other teams are - Bangladesh (-3), Vietnam (-6), Uzbekistan (-8), and Jordan (-9).
Head coach Joakim Alexandersson emphasized the need for a strong performance from his team.
“We need to be much stronger and more determined in both halves of the field, in defending our own area, and in scoring goals. We need to be more direct in attack, more aggressive, and more clinical. But we must also remember that we are facing a very good team,” he said.
The Young Tigresses have shown glimpses of their potential in their first two matches, but have also made mistakes at crucial moments.
“We need to be strong in every aspect of the game, communicate effectively, and be even more aggressive than in the first two games. When we win the ball, we need to be sharper and quicker in transitioning, and we need to create scoring opportunities,” the Swedish coach added.
“The only thing that matters to us is that we have to win, because that is our only chance to qualify for the quarterfinals. That is the only mindset we need to have,” Alexandersson affirmed.
Forward Sulanjana Raul, who scored twice in the qualifiers last year, acknowledged the difficult situation.
“We are in a difficult situation. This last match is a deciding match because we still have a chance. We lost the first two matches in a very poor way, conceding five and six goals. So, in this last match, we must win. We must perform very well and try to score as many goals as we can,” the 18-year-old said.
The emphasis on attacking efficiency, which India has been working on throughout their preparation, is now critical. She is also aware that the challenge will be equally fierce from the other side.
“Right now, there is only one thing on my mind — to do very well in the last match. We have to take our chances, whatever opportunities we get. We know that they will also come fully prepared because they also want to win and qualify. It won’t be an easy match against Chinese Taipei. Whoever comes onto the pitch will want to win, so it will be a tough game.”
“We definitely have to win. We need to score early as well. From an individual point of view, if I get a chance, I have to convert it as quickly as possible,” Sulanjana added.
On the defensive side, defensive discipline will also be crucial. Defender Cindy Colney reflected on the lessons learned from the opening games and the importance of improvement. The 19-year-old started in the national team as a midfielder during her U17 days, but under Alexandersson, she has been converted into a solid centre-back. At 164 centimetres, she is the second-tallest outfield player in the squad, only behind her centre-back partner Thoibisana Chanu Toijam, who is 169.
“I was playing as a midfielder earlier, but then the coach asked me to play in defence,” Cindy said. "I’ve adjusted well here, and every time I get the opportunity, I try my best not to let the coach’s trust break.”
The defensive unit has come under pressure in the first two matches, and Cindy acknowledged the need for accountability.
“We have played two matches, and conceding so many goals is not something that should happen. We conceded due to some poor situations, and sometimes there were individual mistakes as well.
“Whatever mistakes we have made, we will learn from them and rectify. And about the things we have done well, we need to continue doing those.”
With everything on the line, the approach is all-in.
“For both teams, it is like a final. We will play as a team and give everything on the pitch. Chinese Taipei is a team that can defend well, and whenever they get a chance to counter-attack, they do it very effectively. So we need to stay focused every second,” Cindy added.
Chinese Taipei head coach Hsieh Chih-chun acknowledged the challenge ahead and the balance between the two sides. “India are a very attacking side, and their fighting spirit and defensive mentality are excellent, but I feel that both our teams are very evenly matched in terms of ability,” he said.