Four goals in space of 11 minutes in the second half by former World Champions Japan proved to be the undoing of a resilient India in their opening Group C league match of the AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament Round 2 that was played at the Lokomotiv Stadium, in Tashkent, on Thursday, 26th October, 2023.

Up against a stubborn defence by Loitongbam Ashalata Devi Indian side, the current FIFA ranked no.8 team Japan infact scored only once in the first 45 minutes, before finding their mojo in the next 45 with six more to provide a perfect start to their campaign.

Ranked a lowly 61, the Thomas Dennerby outfit made few rare forays into the opponent half, with Indumathi Kathiresan sole long ranger which blocked Hana Takahashi the only highlight early on. Thereafter it was the current 19th Asian Games Champions that dominated the proceedings with Yoshino Nakashima providing the lead with a chip into the top corner in the 17th minute. The Indian outfit which adopted a 5-3-2 formation, though withstood the Japanese storm after their centre backs Ashalata Devi, Sweety Devi and Ritu Rani rose to the occasion and their efforts was backed by array of saves by their goalkeeper Shreya Hooda, that ensured the goal margin between the two outfits to bare minimum by the end of first half.

Change of ends following the breather saw Japanese wingers create numerous opportunities for their team that resulted in their team score four more soon after, much to the dismay of the Indian defence. Yoshino Nakashima scored her second of the match, before substitute Honoka Hayashi added a third. Mina Tanaka too etched her name on the scoresheet with a goal through a header, and later set up Miyabi Moriya, to make the score 5-0 in Japan’s favour by the 56th minute. Kiko Seike and Hikaru Naomoto rounded things off with two more goals, to make it seven in Japan’s favour.

In search of pride The Blue Tigress last-ditch effort in injury time failed to materialize after Anju Tamang's attempt of a rebound following her team mate Soumya Guguloth collision with Japan goalkeeper Chika Hirao went over the crossbar.

India next take on higher ranked Vietnam (29th October), and hosts Uzbekistan (1st November) and need to win both their matches if they harbour any chance of qualifying for Round 3 as the second best team from the Group C.

India: Shreya Hooda (GK); Dalima Chhibber (Manisa Panna 64’), Ritu Rani, Ngangbam Sweety Devi, Loitongbam Ashalata Devi, Sanju (Ranjana Chanu 85’); Hemam Shilky Devi (Priyangka Devi 59’), Sangita Basfore, Indumathi Kathiresan (Dangmei Grace 59’); Anju Tamang, Ngangom Bala Devi (Soumya Guguloth 46’)

Result (Group C League Match): Japan 7 (Yoshino Nakashima 17’, 47’, Honoka Hayashi 53’, Mina Tanaka 54’, Miyabi Moriya 56’, Kiko Seike 73’, Hikaru Naomoto 82’) beat India 0 (HT 1-0)