Vietnam scored in stoppage time to secure a 2-1 victory over India in their opening Group C match of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 at Perth Rectangular Stadium on Wednesday.
Nguyen Thi Van Su scored in the 30th minute and again in the fourth minute of injury time to hand Vietnam the win. India’s only goal came through debutant Sanfida Nongrum in the 52nd minute.
Vietnam began with greater control of possession while India sat deep, looking to exploit space on the counter. India goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu Elangbam was called into action early, producing a save to deny Van Su.
India created their first opportunity in the eighth minute when Dangmei Grace controlled a high ball and set up Sangita Basfore. Basfore struck a half-volley with time and space, but the effort went straight to Vietnam goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh.
Vietnam threatened again in the 14th minute after a mispass from Basfore allowed Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy to strike from the edge of the area, with the shot hitting the crossbar.
Panthoi produced several saves during a period of sustained Vietnamese pressure, including a diving stop at the near post to deny Bich Thuy in the 27th minute.
Vietnam took the lead three minutes later when Van Su ran onto a pass from Thai Thi Thao and curled a shot into the net from inside the penalty area.
India began to stretch play with longer balls into the Vietnamese half. Manisha Kalyan found Grace with a lofted pass, but Kim Thanh collected the ball before the forward could finish the move.
At half-time, India head coach Amelia Valverde introduced Sanfida Nongrum and Rimpa Haldar, replacing Grace Dangmei and Soumya Guguloth.
Vietnam thought they had doubled their lead in the 49th minute when Thai Thi Thao put the ball in the net following confusion in the Indian penalty area. The goal was later ruled out for offside after a VAR review.
India equalised in the 52nd minute through debutant Sanfida. Rimpa Haldar made a run down the left before the ball deflected into Sanfida’s path. The forward reacted quickly, firing a left-footed shot past Kim Thanh.
The goal boosted India’s confidence and the team began to press higher up the pitch. Just after the hour mark, Rimpa delivered a cross that Pyari Xaxa headed on target, but Kim Thanh made the save. Minutes later, Sanfida headed over from a Nirmala Devi cross.
Vietnam gradually regained control and continued to attack down the wings. Panthoi remained alert, producing another save to deny Van Su in the 76th minute.
India had a late opportunity in the second minute of stoppage time when Manisha Kalyan struck a long-range free-kick. Kim Thanh parried the effort, and substitute Kaviya Pakkirisamy chased the rebound, but the Vietnamese goalkeeper reached the ball first.
Vietnam secured the victory moments later. Substitute Vi Thi Hoa delivered a cut-back that Van Su converted to score her second goal of the match and seal the result.
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