Sydney, March 10 (NationPress) The Indian women's football team faced elimination from the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 happening in Australia, following a 1-3 loss to Chinese Taipei in their final Group C encounter at the Western Sydney Stadium on Tuesday.

Chinese Taipei led the match 2-1 at halftime.

The Mulan team opened the scoring early with a goal from Su Yu-hsuan (12’), but Manisha Kalyan (39’) equalized for India. Chinese Taipei regained the lead through Hsu Yi-yun (45+8’) just before the break, and Chen Yu-ting (77’) sealed their victory with another goal in the second half.

India's head coach Amelia Valverde made two adjustments to her starting lineup, incorporating Shilky Devi Hemam and Nirmala Devi Phanjoubam, since they needed a win and at least two goals to have a chance of advancing to the knockout stages.

The Blue Tigresses started the match aggressively, with a corner kick by Manisha nearly giving them an early advantage in the second minute. Soumya Guguloth's header from that corner was saved, and Pyari Xaxa's follow-up also created chaos in the Chinese Taipei defense before it was cleared.

Chinese Taipei quickly countered, with Chen Jin-wen's shot going narrowly wide from inside the Indian box.

India responded with a similar opportunity when Nirmala passed to Manisha, who set up Soumya, only for her shot to also miss the target.

In the 10th minute, India goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu Elangbam made a crucial save against a shot from YC Chen, but a couple of minutes later, a defensive error allowed Chinese Taipei to take the lead. Martina Thokchom misjudged a clearance, allowing JW Chen to intercept and assist YH Su, who tapped the ball into an empty net.

Needing to score two goals, India maintained pressure, and a cross from Pyari in the 26th minute saw Sanfida Nongrum collide with the opposing keeper as she tried to score.

India equalized with a free kick from about 25 yards out after Huang Ke-sin was penalized for an off-the-ball foul on Soumya (38 minutes). The Video Assistant Referee reviewed the play but confirmed the yellow card issued to Huang.

A minute later, Manisha took a powerful free-kick that struck the underside of the crossbar and bounced out, but VAR reviewed and awarded the goal to India, leveling the score.

Panthoi, who had made several impressive saves throughout the tournament, blocked a powerful shot from YC Chen just before halftime. However, disaster struck when Chinese Taipei was awarded a penalty, which YY Hsu missed, hitting the woodwork. The rebound, unfortunately, rolled into the net after striking Panthoi.

Falling behind again, India began the second half with renewed vigor, substituting Rimpa Haldar for Soumya Guguloth. Manisha attempted to even the score but shot wide.

Captain Sweety Devi Ngangbam made a vital defensive block from a shot by YH Su, and Panthoi made yet another excellent save shortly after.

Despite India's efforts to equalize, YY Hsu assisted YC Chen, who rounded Panthoi to score in an empty net after a collision between the goalkeeper and Sweety necessitated their stretcher exits.

India had some late chances, with Sanfida's volley in the 86th minute being blocked and a free-kick from Manisha in the 89th minute taking a deflection before being cleared by substitute goalkeeper Chen Ssu-yu. In the dying moments, Manisha had a prime opportunity, heading a corner from Kaviya Pakkirisamy, only to see it bounce off the post.