India take on Japan in the AFC Asian Cup 2026 today, with kickoff at 4.30 PM IST, and you can follow it all live right here on our blog:
INDIA VS JAPAN: PREVIEW.
They couldn’t, could they? India, world rank 67, lowest ranked team in the group, stereotypical underdogs, take on Japan, world rank no. 8, favourites to this title, Goliaths of Asian football today with hopes of a result that spark something special for Indian football. Considering their troubles against Vietnam in their tournament opener, especially the first half, it could be a nigh on impossible task against a team that overpowered Chinese Taipei in their own opener.
Coach Amelia Valverde gave a glimpse of her tactical nous when a shift in formation and personnel — bringing on goalscoring debutant Sanfida Nongrum and youngster Rimpa Haldar at the halftime mark and shifting Manisha Kalyan to a central position — troubled Vietnam a great deal. Even if they did concede a heartbreaking injury time winner, it was a display that would have given them a great deal of confidence.
For giants Japan, the only thing that hurt them would have been their inability to convert an astonishing 89.5% possession and 30 attempts at goal to a ‘mere’ 2-0 win. This a squad brimming with talent, one where the bench is stronger than most XIs in the tournament and they will want to get going pronto. With tougher tests ahead, Japan will want to get their goalscoring boots on.
Will they do that against India? Or can the underdogs make a statement? We’ll find out soon enough.
