INDIAN WOMEN LOSE AGAINST UZBEKISTAN

07 Apr 2017

By Joseph Solomon,

AIFF Media Team

PYONGYANG (DPR KOREA): The Indian Women’s Senior National Team lost 7-1 to Uzbekistan in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers at the Kim II Sung Stadium in Pyongyang today (April 07, 2017).

Uzbekistan stunned the Indian defence in the opening minutes of the match and striker Karachik Lyudmila’s speed proved too much for the Indian defence to handle. In the 3^rd minute, Karachik sped past Manisha Panna and found the net and in three minutes later, in the same manner she dodged Ashalata Devi, relied on her speed and bundled the ball home to make it 2-0 to Uzbekistan.

In the 10^th minute, Captain Sarikova Makhliyo outfoxed the Indian midfield before finding the back of the Indian net to make it 3-0. In the 19^th minute, Zoirova Umida added to Uzbekistan’s goal tally, further extending the opponent’s lead to four goals, after Panthoi fluffed her lines.

India reduced the deficit in the 22^nd minute when Bala Devi’s shot from more than 30 yards out caught the Uzbek custodian offguard and crashed in the back of the opponent’s net to make it 4-1.

In the 44^th minute, Makhliyo’s shot found its way into the net as the half-time scoreline read 5-1 in Uzbekistan’s favour.

In the 63^rd minute, substitute Narbekova Lianna got on the scoresheet as her shot from inside the box crashed into the back of the net to make the scoreline read 6-1. Dangmei Grace came close to scoring for India in the 85^th minute after she was released onto goal by Bala Devi from the flanks, but with only the keeper to beat, Grace shot straight at the opponent custodian resulting in an easy save.

Turdiboeva Feruza scored from the penalty spot in the dying embers of the match as the full-time scoreline read 7-1 in Uzbekistan’s favour. The Indian Women play Hong Kong in their last match of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers on April 11, 2017.

India starting XI against Uzbekistan: Panthoi Chanu (GK); Umapati Devi, Ashalata Devi, Mainsha Panna, Dalima Chhibber; Premi Devi, Indumathi Kathiresan, Sasmita Malik (23’ – Ratanbala Devi), Dangmei Grace, Anju Tamang (45’ – Kashmina (83’ – Ngoubi Devi)), Bala Devi (C).