By Debayan Mukherjee,
AIFF Media Team

RIFFA: It is not always the goal scorers who make the difference in football.

Sometimes it is the goalkeeper with acrobatic saves, or the Central Defender like a rock at the back, the Schemer with her vision, and even the Sweeper, working overtime to plug the holes.

On Tuesday (May 14) evening when the Indian Women’s Senior National Team played Bahrain in a Friendly match ahead of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup (Qualifiers), it was the left-winger who stole the show.

Sasmita Malik, making a comeback into the Indian side after the SAFF Championships last year in September, weighed her crosses to perfection. Two such inch-perfect floaters went in -- both Pinky Magar and Kamala Devi – the goalscorers – had their thumbs up directed leftwards.

If the first cross was a gem, the second one was even better!

“The second cross was classic,” National Goalkeeping Coach Chitra Gangadharan admitted moments after the final whistle.

“The goals wouldn’t happen without Sasmita playing on that left. She was outstanding today. She made the difference,” added Pinky.

But Malik is not overboard just yet.

“I had a good game today and I am happy for that. But this is just the beginning. The AFC Cup Qualifiers is where I have to perform and put my best foot forward. I am glad that things are going according to plan. I want to repeat my good showing in the AFC Cup matches,” Malik added.

The 24-year old Senior Pro added that India stand a good chance in the AFC meet starting in less than a week’s time as the players are much more confident this time courtesy the string of good results in the recent past.

“We are a much more confident unit this time. Our Group is tough with strong teams like (Chinese) Taipei, and Myanmar. Palestine will have home advantage,” she maintained. “But we have been doing well. We won the SAFF Championships and then beat a Dutch side in one of the Friendlies. This is a different ball game altogether I know but winning helps psychotically.”

National Coach Anadi Barua though happy to start proceedings on a winning note, is not willing to read too much into it.

“We played well; no doubt that’s why we won. But we have areas where we need to work on more. The Second Friendly will make things clearer as to where we lack. The real challenge and test of character lies ahead.”