India U-17 Women Stumble Against Japan, Captain Abhista Basnett Vows Strong Fightback

India U-17 Women Stumble Against Japan, Captain Abhista Basnett Vows Strong Fightback

India’s campaign in the AFC U-17 Women's Asian Cup 2026 got off to a challenging start as the India U-17 Women's National Football Team went down 0–3 to the Japan U-17 Women's National Football Team in a Group B encounter on May 5 in Suzhou.

Japan delivered a dominant and disciplined performance, controlling the tempo of the game and capitalizing on key opportunities to secure a convincing victory. The Indian side, though determined, found it difficult to break through Japan’s organized defense and convert their chances into goals.

Despite the setback, team captain Abhista Basnett remained positive about the road ahead. Reflecting on the match, she assured that the squad would regroup quickly and come back stronger in the upcoming fixtures. She emphasized the team’s intent to improve performance and stay competitive as the tournament progresses.

India will now look to bounce back in their next matches, aiming to keep their hopes alive in the competition with renewed focus and determination.

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