Perth, March 4 (NationPress) A heartbreaking injury-time goal led to a 1-2 loss for India's women’s football team against Vietnam in their opening match of Group C at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026, held at the Perth Rectangular Stadium on Wednesday.

Nguyen Thi Van Su (30’, 90+4’) found the net twice for Vietnam, while Sanfida Nongrum (52’), making her debut, scored India's only goal, marking a disappointing beginning for the Blue Tigresses.

Vietnam asserted dominance early in the match, controlling possession as India opted to defend and look for counter-attacking opportunities.

India’s goalkeeper, Panthoi Chanu Elangbam, made an early save against Van Su before the Blue Tigresses created their first chance in the eighth minute. Dangmei Grace chested a high ball into the path of Sangita Basfore, who struck a half-volley that was saved by Vietnam's goalkeeper, Tran Thi Kim Thanh.

In the 14th minute, a misplaced pass from Sangita led to a near miss for Vietnam, with Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy hitting the crossbar from outside the area. Panthoi made several key saves during the first half, notably denying Bich Thuy in the 27th minute with a dramatic stop.

Van Su broke the deadlock in the 30th minute, capitalizing on a pass from Thai Thi Thao to curl the ball home from inside the penalty area.

India responded by shifting their play to long passes and wide plays into the Vietnam half. Manisha found Grace with an impressive aerial pass, but Kim Thanh was quick to gather the ball.

At half-time, India head coach Amelia Valverde made tactical changes, introducing Sanfida and Rimpa Haldar, as Grace and Soumya Guguloth were substituted.

Vietnam continued to press early in the second half, and thought they had increased their lead in the 49th minute when Thi Thao scored, but the goal was ruled offside by VAR.

The substitutions paid off for India when debutant Sanfida equalized in the 52nd minute after Rimpa’s run from the left. A deflected clearance fell to her feet, and she unleashed a powerful left-foot shot past Kim Thanh.

Buoyed by the goal, India began to apply pressure on Vietnam. A cross from Rimpa found Pyari Xaxa, whose header was saved just after the hour mark. Moments later, Sanfida attempted another header from a Nirmala Devi cross that sailed over the bar.

As the match progressed, Vietnam regained their footing, creating chances down the flanks. Panthoi remained resolute, making a crucial save from a Van Su effort in the 76th minute.

India had a chance in the dying moments when Manisha took a long-range free-kick. While Kim Thanh parried it, India substitute Kaviya Pakkirisamy, also debuting, rushed for the rebound but was denied by the Vietnamese goalkeeper.

In a dramatic finish, Van Su netted her second goal of the match in injury time, receiving a cut-back from substitute Vi Thi Hoa and slotting it home to secure a last-minute victory for Vietnam.