Asian Games 2023: Impressive Indian women's football team suffers late defeat against Chinese Taipei

India women's team produced an impressive performance against higher-ranked Chinese Taipei in their opening Asian Games 2023 match but the latter walked away with a 2-1 win to claim all three crucial points on Thursday, September 21. India took a deserving lead through Anju Tamang's goal in the 47' minute but Chinese Taipei managed to claim victory through goals from Lai Li-Chin (69') and Su Yu-Hsuan (84') at Wenzhou Sports Olympic Centre Stadium.

Playing against the 38th-ranked side, India missed their no.1 goalkeeper Aditi Chauhan who is out injured. Shreyas Hooda was impressive between posts throughout the games but was at fault for Chinese Taipei's winning goal. Anju Tamang was India's best player down the right flank with an industrious creative display while returning ace striker Bala Devi was not able to make any impact in the no.9 position.

Barring Aditi, head coach Thomas Dennerby fielded a full-strength playing eleven in the hope of a positive start to their campaign in the Hangzhou Games. India's past record against Chinese Taipei was not helpful but to everyone's surprise, they managed to dominate the game. Indian midfielder Dangmei



Grance and Indumathi Kathiresan were brilliant in creating regular chances as they kept the Chinese defence on toe through the game.

Tamang's goal came at the start of the second half when she busted into the box from the right win and tried to play a ball for Bala Devi. But the latter failed to capitalize and opponent goalkeeper Ming Jung failed to hold off the ball on the initial effort. Tamang scored from the rebound near the right post to give India a sensational lead.

Chinese Taipei introduced Lai Li-Chin and Su Yu-Hsuan in the second half to add more attacking approaches to the struggling side. Lai Li-Chin scored a sensational goal from a free-kick in the 69' minute and striker Su pulled off a winner in the 85' minute with a brilliant solo goal after a costly error from Hooda.

India playing XI: Shreya Hooda, Sweety Devi, Ashalata Devi (c), Sangita Basfore, Sanju, Anju Tamang, Dangmei Grace, Indumathi Kathiresan, Manisha Kalyan, Dalima Chhibber, Bala Devi 

Chinese Taipei playing XI: Ming-Jung, Li-Ping, Yen-Ping, Hsiang-Huei (c), Hsiu-Chin, Kai Ching, Chia-Ying, Yu-Chieh, Ting Chi, Ying-Hui, Pu-Han