AIFF Media Team
NEW DELHI: It rained goals in Shillong on February 09, 2016 as the Indian Women’s Senior National Team hammered Sri Lanka 5-0 in a one sided encounter at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in the ongoing 12th South Asian Games.
A brace from Dangemi Grace and strikes from Sasmita Malik, Kamala Devi and a Sri Lankan own goal gave the Indian Women an easy win over Sri Lanka, leading them to garner 4 points out of 2 matches.
“We took our chances today and the result is there for all to see. However, we should not get carried away with the result”, Head Coach of the Indian Senior Women’s National Team Sajid Dar told www.the-aiff.com.
“We face Nepal next and we have to remain focused on the task at hand”, he added.
Coming on the back of a goalless draw against Maldives, the Indian Women tried to pile pressure on their opponents by taking an early lead. In the 4th minute, Bembem Devi’s rasping shot from outside of the box was saved by the Lankan custodian. Two minutes later, Prameshwori Devi’ cross which was intended for Kamala Devi was collected by the opponent’s custodian.
With the crowd hollering the Indian Women through with chants of ‘India, India’, the Women showcased fluid attacking football, whilst keeping possession, as they pinned Sri Lanka in their own half.
In the 18th minute, Bembem Devi tried to chip the Lankan Goalkeeper with a cheeky effort, but the custodian made a fine save to deny Bembem the joy of scoring.
The breakthrough finally came for the Indian women in the 24th minute, albeit from an own goal, as the Lankan defence line headed the ball into their own net, following a Sasmita Malik corner kick to give India a solitary goal lead.
Rejuvenated by taking the lead, the Indian Women tried to double their lead as they initiated a flurry of attacks. In the 35th minute, Bembem Devi released Grace onto goal with a long ball, but the latter ran into defensive traffic.
Shortly after, Prameshwori Devi, with the goal at her mercy failed to score as she hoofed the ball over the bar, after Sasmita Malik’s shot earned an uncanny save from the Lankan keeper. In the 44th minute, Prameshwori Devi after wriggling past the Lankan defence line, cut inside from the right flank and teed-up Kamala Devi in the 18 yard box, who ran into defensive traffic as the opportunity went abegging.
Almost right at the stroke of halftime the Indian Women doubled their lead as Dangmei Grace blasted her opportunity home to make the half-time scoreline read 2-0.
The Indian Women picked up right where they left off and Kamala Devi rattled the Lankan crossbar with a thunderous shot seconds in the second half. In the 55th minute, Prameshwori Devi failed to tap the ball home from hand-shaking distance after she was found clear of the defensive mix by a Sasmita Malik cross.
Three minutes later, a rocket of a strike from Dangmei Grace from outside of the box, which flied straight into the top corner of the Lankan goal gave India a 3-0 lead. In the 60th minute, the goal-scorer turned provider, as Grace released a graceful cross for Kamala Devi, only for the latter to tap home as the scoreline read 4-0 in favour of India.
In the 73rd minute, Kamala Devi was brought down inside the 18 yard box following an uncanny tackle from the Sri Lankan defence line as the referee pointed to the spot. Sasmita Malik slotted it comfortably past the Sri Lankan custodian from the penalty spot to make the scoreline read 5-0.
With India taking an unassailable lead, the ‘Women in Blue’ kept possession and saw out the match as the full-time scoreline read 5-0. The Indian Women clash swords against Nepal next on February 11, 2016.
India starting XI against Sri Lanka: Aditi Chauhan (GK); Umapati Devi, Ashalata Devi, Manisa Panna, Supriya Routray; Premi Devi (86’ – Sangita Basfore), Bembem Devi (C), Dangmei Grace, Sasmita Malik, Prameshwori Devi (59’ – Sanju), Kamala Devi (76’ – Bala Devi).
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