India vs Vietnam (Photo by @afcasiancup on X)
NEW DELHI: India started their Women’s Asia Cup campaign with a narrow 2-1 defeat to Vietnam in a dramatic Group C match on Wednesday. Ngân Thi Van Su gave Vietnam the lead in the 30th minute with a right-footed shot into the top corner.
Vietnam almost took a 2-0 lead at the start of the second half, but the video assistant referee disallowed the goal due to a handball in the build-up to the attack.
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India responded quickly, equalizing just four minutes later when substitute Sanvida Nongrum smashed in a counter-attack, lifting the ball over the goalkeeper. The match looked headed for a draw until stoppage time, when Vu Thi Hoa crossed from the left and Van Su fired the winner through a defender’s legs.
It has been a disappointing start for India, who also faced setbacks in the 2022 edition, when they had to withdraw from the host nation role due to a coronavirus outbreak in their team. In the other match in Group C, Japan beat Taiwan 2-0, but had to be patient. Despite having nearly 90% possession and registering 30 shots, Japan struggled to break down a resolute defense for more than an hour. Momoko Tanikawa finally opened the scoring in the 61st minute after controlling a long pass and calmly finishing the match from close range.
Kiko Seki sealed the win in stoppage time with a well-timed header. Taiwan failed to get a shot on target but kept the score close. As temperatures rose to 37 degrees Celsius (99 degrees Fahrenheit), officials allowed cooling breaks in both halves.Elsewhere in the tournament, Australia, South Korea, North Korea and China also started with wins, with all 12 teams completing their opening matches in Australia.