For twenty minutes in the opening match for India and Chinese Taipei at the 19th Asian Games, the Ashalata Devi-led women's team looked to be en route a major upset against the team ranked 23 spots above them on the FIFA table.
But Anju Tamang and Manisha Kalyan-inspired Indian women could not keep up the momentum - and their lead - as Chinese Taipei came from behind to clinch the Group B encounter in Hangzhou 2-1 on Thursday.
Thomas Dennerby's starting XI were impressive from the word go as the 21-year-old Manisha stunned the Chinese Taipei defenders with her pace on the left flank in the first minute and earned a corner for India after a desperate clearance.
Indumathi Kathiresan and Dalima Chhibber, too, joined in the action soon after creating exciting chances with their throws and long crosses.
However, it was Anju who stole the show among the 22 footballers - all of whom aimed for a winning start to their continental campaign. She dominated the proceedings from the right flank, creating opportunities for Manisha and Bala Devi in the middle and throwing herself back in defence when needed.
Chinese Taipei showed their supremacy in keeping possession, but the Ashalata and Sweety Devi-led Indian defence maintained their shape and thwarted the efforts of Hsiu Chin and Yen-Ping Chen to find a breakthrough.
Shreya Hooda, as the goalkeeper, also made a couple of early saves to keep the scoreboard at naught.
However, at the change of ends, it was Anju who made an instant impact with a long run from the right in the 46th minute and sent a cross to the left for Manisha whose ensuing right-footed shot was blocked by Ming Jung. But Anju was near the box to blast in the rebound and give India the lead.
But it was two moments of brilliance from the 38st-ranked opposition as super-sub Lai Li-Chin (69th) and the brilliant Su Yu-Hsuan (84th) took the Indian defence by surprise and put paid to their hard work for a much-needed shock win.
Dennerby and his team will now have to look to beat the 46th-ranked Thailand on Sunday and hope for favourable results elsewhere to extend their stay in Hangzhou.