The Indian football team was held to a goalless draw by Indonesia in its opening Group D match of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers at the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar, on Wednesday.
The Young Tigresses have one point in the group, which is currently topped by hosts Myanmar, who defeated Turkmenistan 6-1 at the same venue, earlier in the day.
Making their first appearance in the competition since 2006, the Indian women’s football team began brightly, enjoying early spells of possession and creating chances down the flanks.
Neha’s teasing cross in the sixth minute nearly caught the Indonesian defence off guard, but neither Pooja nor Sulanjana Raul could apply the finishing touch for the Indian football team.
As the clock ticked past the half-hour mark, Sulanjana and Pooja tried their luck from long range but could not find the breakthrough.
Neha looked lively down the left flank after the change of ends but Indonesia worked in unison to regain control.
With a little over 20 minutes left, India began to press high to induce some pressure on the Indonesian defence.
Sibani Devi Nongmeikapam intercepted a pass in the attacking third and cut it back for substitute Babita Kumari, who had replaced Neha.
Babita, however, was unable to get a touch on the ball. Minutes later, Sibani looked to find Babita again with a cross from the left, but Alleana collected it calmly.
Indonesia’s only notable chance of the match came in the 87th minute, when substitute Ajeng Sri Handayani bounded past the Indian defence and attempted to place the ball at the far post. Indian goalkeeper Monalisha Devi Moirangthem, however, got down low to make a save before Thoibisana Chanu Toijam cleared.
India had two good chances in injury time, both off free-kicks by Anju Chanu Kayenpaibam, one from each flank. While both the free kicks were on target, the Indonesian goalkeeper managed to palm them away.
India will square off against Turkmenistan in their second match of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup at the same venue on Friday.