Women's Football
WE HAVE STARTED TO WORK ON OUR WEAKNESSES: ALEX AMBROSE
06 Oct 2018

By Joseph Solomon,

AIFF Media Team

THIMPHU (BHUTAN): Gearing up for the AFC U-19 Championship Qualifiers later this month, it was heartbreak for the Indian U-18 Women’s National Team after the young eves lost to Nepal 3-1 on penalties in the semi-finals of the SAFF U-18 Championship, despite dominating possession and chances created.

Although Nepal had taken an early lead in the 15th minute, the eves created as many as three clear goal-scoring chances after the equalizer, which came through Jabamani Tudu’s header in the 65th minute.

Still there are many positives to take from the loss against Nepal and according to Head Coach Alex Ambrose, “India should have won the match in ninety minutes”

“We are trying to implement a system that will benefit us in the AFC U-19 Qualifiers and the players are trying to fit into that system. We maintained our shape perfectly against Nepal and the goal that we conceded was an error due to lack of concentration”

“Our lack of finishing cost us the game, had we taken our opportunities infront of goal, we could have won and the match would not have gone into penalties”

Coincidentally, India has been drawn alongside Nepal, Pakistan and hosts Thailand in the AFC U-19 Qualifiers, and will once again clash swords with Nepal.

“We will be a much evolved and a much efficient team when we face them next. We have already started to work on our weaknesses and work on our finishing”

“Our main aim is to progress from the AFC U-19 Qualifiers and the SAFF U-18 Championship has helped the squad in understanding the demands and dynamics of the system that they will implement in the Qualifiers”, Alex informed.

Meanwhile, in the SAFF U-18 Championship India will face Bhutan tomorrow (October 07, 2018) for the third place match. Bhutan had earlier lost to Bangladesh 4-0.

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