41' - Indian defence holds shape
Chances have been at a premium, but India's defence have done well to hold their structure to net let Japan through. The Japanese have been slick, and they have often overloaded the Indian box, but the second goal has been elusive.
Still, India 0-1 Japan
32' - Narrow escape for India
A frantic clearance of the goalline in the 32nd minute as the Indian defence is left flat footed by a swirling cross coming in from the right.
26' - Japanese free kick narrowly misses
It's all Japan here! A free kick narrowly whistles over the bar in the 26th minute as the Indian defence does just about enough to clear their lines every time.
17' - Japan take 1-0 lead
After either side try their luck in the first 10 minutes, including Indumathi Kathiseran with a long ranger, it is Japan who take the lead.
Yoshino Nakashima breaks the deadlock in the 17th minute.
Kick-off (?)
The match has kicked off, according to AIFF, but due to some reason, the stream from Uzbekistan FA has not yet started.
Japan Starting XI
Japan got into two FIFA World Cup finals in 2011 and 2015. How will India fare against these superstars today?
How India's women's football team has fared against top FIFA nations
India is facing Japan (world number 8) in their toughest test for a while. How have they fared in recent years against similar top quality oppositions? In 2023, India have not faced very high competition, losing to Chinese Taipei 1-2.
In 2022 too, there were not too many high quality oppositions, while India lost to neighbours Nepal and Bangladesh.
In 2021 though, India did take on some global superpowers. They lost 1-6 to Brazil, 0-8 to Russia, 0-3 to Chile, 2-3 to Ukraine and 0-2 to Serbia. But there were some moments, like when India was drawing 1-1 with Brazil, that were priceless.
India's opponents all higher ranked in Round 2 of the Olympic qualifiers
India will face three higher ranked opponets over the next week. The last time, India had not managed to make it out of this stage. India's women's football team have never played at the Olympics.
Japan (8th, 1st in Asia), Vietnam (34th, 5th in Asia) and Uzbekistan (50th, 10th in Asia) are all above 61st-ranked India. India play Vietnam on Sunday before finishing their campaign with Wednesday's match against the hosts Uzbekistan.
India's women's football squad for Paris Olympic qualifiers
Goalkeepers: Sowmiya Narayanasamy, Shreya Hooda, Panthoi Chanu
Defenders: Ashalata Devi, Sweety Devi, Ritu Rani, Ranjana Chanu, Dalima Chhibber, Manisa Panna, Shilky Devi Hemam, Astam Oraon
Midfielders: Priyangka Devi, Anju Tamang, Indumathi Kathiresan, Sangita Basfore
Forwards: Grace Dangmei, Soumya Guguloth, Renu, Sandhiya Ranganathan, Bala Devi, Sanju, Manisha Kalyan
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