INDIAN U-15 WOMEN BEAT BHUTAN TO SECURE SEMI-FINAL SPOT

13 Aug 2018

AIFF Media Team

THIMPHU (BHUTAN): The Indian U-15 Women’s National Team progressed to the semi-finals of the SAFF U-15 Championship after defeating hosts Bhutan 1-0 at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan today (August 13, 2018).

Shilky Devi’s 58^th minute strike proved to be the difference between the two teams in a match tightly contested where India rattled the bar twice. With this win, the Indian Women top Group A, winning both of their matches. The semi-finals of the SAFF U-15 Championship are slated to kick-off on August 16, 2018 and the Indian Women will face either Nepal or Bangladesh in the clash.

Although Bhutan started the game on an attacking note and dominated possession in the early minutes of the match, the Indian Women had an excellent opportunity to go ahead in the 13^th minute when Kiran failed to make the most of her chance from inside the box.

In the 31^st minute, the Indian Women rattled the woodwork after Sunita Munda found Kritina Devi on the flanks with some crafty work. Kritina’s first time effort from long range hit the bar and came back into play, only for her to shoot wide off the resulting ball. Five minutes later, Bhutan caught the Indian defence napping and hit the sidenetting from inside the box to give the Indian Women a scare.

Shiky Devi’s volley from inside the box in the 41^st minute went inches over the bar as India continued to press the opponents. A stalemate ensued at half-time as both teams went into the tunnel on level pegging.

In the 55^th minute, Avika Singh’s effort from distance rattled the crossbar but India had to wait little for the breakthrough that came three minutes later. Shilky Devi found the back of the opponent’s net with ease from inside the box with sheer composure in the 58^th minute to give India the lead as the scoreline read 1-0.

The Indian Women pressed to double their advantage and came close when Shilky Devi’s shot missed the target. On the other end, the Indian defence had a busy day and mopped up Bhutan’s counter-attacks that came quiet frequently.

Bhutan committed bodies in attack to search for an equalizing goal but the Indian defence, compact, shut the gates tight and held on to edge out a 1-0 win over the hosts.