India U17 women lost 0-3 to Japan in their AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Group B match at Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Centre Pitch 4 on Tuesday (May 5). Yumi Hayashi scored in the 59th minute. Yuzuha Ikeda added goals in the 76th and 81st minutes.

Japan, four-time champions, recorded their second group win. They moved top of Group B with six points from two matches. India stayed without a point after two games. They are bottom of the group. Earlier, Lebanon held Australia to a 1-1 draw.

Disciplined first half from India

Japan set the tempo from the start, using width through Mashiro Yamaji and Futaba Noda to send early crosses. India replied with a compact block. Captain Abhista Basnett and Elizabed Lakra held the centre well. The full unit worked behind the ball.

Nanami Kurita and Asuka Tanaka linked up in attack for Japan. However, India’s shape reduced clear chances. Thandamoni Baskey often dropped deep as extra cover. Goalkeeper Munni read crosses well and claimed them. Noda had Japan’s first shot on target in the 20th minute, which Munni saved.

Japan increase pressure before breakthrough

Japan kept a high defensive line, pressing India back and keeping the ball. This left spaces behind for possible counters. Kurita tried from distance in the 31st minute. Munni saved low, staying calm. By half-time, Japan had two shots on target and most possession.

India stayed compact with Basnett, Lakra, Divyani Linda and Ritu Badaik steady at the back. After the break, Japan again attacked. Kurita shot from range in the 49th minute, but Munni collected. In the 53rd minute, Kurita struck first time from a right cutback, sending the ball over.

Goals from Hayashi and Ikeda decide the contest

India tried longer balls in transition towards Alva Devi Senjam and Pritika Barman. Clear chances were still rare. Japan nearly scored in the 58th minute when Noda hit the side-netting from close range. The deadlock ended one minute later.

In the 59th minute, Tanaka picked out Hayashi inside the box from the right. Hayashi controlled and finished into the bottom corner. Japan doubled the lead in the 76th minute from a set-piece. Wara Shimizu guided the ball to Ikeda, who scored from close range.

The third goal came in the 81st minute. Shimizu crossed from the right. Ikeda met the delivery with a firm header for her second goal. Japan later saw efforts from Runa Sumiya and Maho Kubota, but neither chance needed a save.

India’s effort and next Group B assignment

Despite the late goals, India held their structure for long spells. They also managed phases of pressure against a team that had scored 13 goals against Lebanon in their previous match. The Young Tigresses stayed organised and continued to look for counters.

India will play their final Group B match against Lebanon on Friday, May 8, 2026. The game will take place at Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Centre Pitch 8. Japan now lead the group, while India target their first points against Lebanon.

India U-17 women’s starting XI and substitutions

India started with Munni in goal. The back line included Elizabed Lakra, Divyani Linda, Thandamoni Baskey and Julan Nongmaithem. The midfield featured Pearl Fernandes, Ritu Badaik, Pritika Barman and Redima Devi Chingkhamayum. Captain Abhista Basnett and Alva Devi Senjam led the attack.

Coach used five substitutions. Joya replaced Pearl Fernandes in the 52nd minute. In the 65th minute, Olivia Ningthoujam came on for Julan Nongmaithem and Alisha Lyngdoh replaced Ritu Badaik. In the 79th minute, Valaina Fernandes replaced Pritika Barman and Anushka Kumari came on for Redima Devi Chingkhamayum.