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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Mrinal Asija in Perth

India’s remarkable Asian Cup chance boosted by cricket team across town

India acknowledge the crowd after the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 match between Vietnam and India at Perth Rectangular Stadium
The Blue Tigresses thank their fans after first Women’s Asian Cup match – many who will head to the WACA Ground on Friday for the India v Australia women’s Test. Photograph: Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images

The Indian women’s football team’s quest for history got off to a bittersweet start in Perth on Wednesday. The players had put aside the off-field turbulence they faced in the lead-up to put up a strong fight on the field, only to concede an injury time goal and go down 1-2 to Vietnam.

Despite the result, the game was significant as a marker of how far the Blue Tigresses had come and where they could go, but also for the atmosphere they were greeted with at the Perth Rectangular Stadium.

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