India, March 13 -- And with that the dream ended, gradually and then suddenly. As the lowest ranked team in the group - and the third lowest of the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup - aspiring for a World Cup berth after qualifying for the first time meant India had to be at their best and hope that Vietnam and Chinese Taipei play below potential. Neither happened to the extent that it would keep India among the quarter-finalists.

India were brave with goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu Elangbam, one of the eight from IWL champions East Bengal in the squad, leading from the back. She calmed nerves against Vietnam, commanded her area and was excellent in one-on-one situations. Against Chinese Taipei, she won two such duels and it was because she had left ...