India, March 4 -- Between hope and heartbreak, a point in the AFC Women's Asian Cup and none, stood three second half stoppage time minutes. That is how long India needed to hold on against Vietnam in Perth on Wednesday.

The gap of 30 places in the FIFA rankings between the teams had been bridged by Sanfida Nongrum, and for 42 minutes thereafter, India held on against a team that played in the last World Cup.

Vietnam's winning goal came in the 94th minute. The 1-2 defeat will hurt, maybe even haunt them through the matches against Japan and Chinese Taipei. But once the adrenaline wears off, once they relook at the fight they put up at the HBF Park, India will do well to take the positives after having qualified for the continental champ...