IND vs JPN T20I 2026: India Clinch Nail-Biter by 2 Runs in Historic Sano Showdown – Live Score & Highlights

Perth, 7 March 2026 — Japan’s women’s national football team delivered a master-class at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, overwhelming India 11-0 in their Group C encounter at Perth Rectangular Stadium. The Nadeshiko, ranked eighth in the world, scored twice inside the opening ten minutes and never looked back, exploiting space in wide areas and punishing defensive lapses with ruthless finishing. A first-half hat-trick from striker Riko Ueki set the tone before midfield captain Yui Hasegawa orchestrated a five-goal second-half blitz. Key moments • 4' — Ueki meets Hasegawa’s cross to open the floodgates. • 22' — Mina Tanaka curls in a free-kick from 25 yards. • 38' — Ueki completes her treble after a goal-mouth scramble. • 71' — Youngster Aoba Fujino records her first senior-tournament goal. • 90+3' — Momoko Tanikawa’s stoppage-time strike seals the double-digit margin. Why it matters 1. Record defeat: The result is India’s heaviest loss in AFC Women’s Asian Cup history, eclipsing their 0-10 reverse to China in 2003. 2. Quarter-final seal: With six points from two matches, Japan become the first side to clinch a quarter-final berth from Group C. 3. Goal-difference lifeline: India, still on three points after beating Vietnam, now face a must-win showdown against South Korea and need a sizable swing in goal difference to revive knockout hopes. Tactical breakdown • Japan pressed high in a 4-3-3, forcing turnovers and creating overloads on both flanks. • India’s low block collapsed once full-backs were dragged centrally, allowing Japan’s wingers to isolate defenders 1-v-1. • Substitutions on the hour mark showed Japan’s depth; every outfield change produced either a goal or assist. Reaction Head coach Futoshi Ikeda praised his team’s “relentless tempo” but warned against complacency ahead of tougher tests. India’s Thomas Dennerby called the defeat “a brutal reality check” yet stressed the learning value for his youthful squad. What’s next • Japan vs South Korea — 10 March, a top-spot decider. • India vs South Korea — 10 March, win-or-go-home clash for the Blue Tigresses. Search demand for “India vs Japan 11-0”, “AFC Women’s Asian Cup standings” and “Japan women’s football highlights” has spiked, reflecting global interest in the tournament’s biggest scoreline so far. Fans can watch the full-match replay and condensed highlights on the AFC’s official YouTube channel.