Patiala, 31 December (Sports Desk)
The Indian women’s football team, under new coach Joakim Alexandersson, began their 2024-25 FIFA international friendly campaign with a resounding 14-0 victory over the Maldives at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru on Monday.
Pyari Xaxa (7’, 15’, 18’) and debutant Lynda Kom Serto (12’, 21’, 29’, 52’) both scored impressive hat-tricks, leading the goal-scoring charge. Neha (16’, 45’) and Kajol Dsouza (59’, 66’) also contributed with two goals each. Sangita Basfore (51’), Sorokhaibam Ranjana Chanu (54’), and Rimpa Haldar (62’) added to the scoreline.
While this was a dominant performance, it falls short of India’s record 18-0 win against Bhutan in the 2010 SAFF Championship.
Facing the 163rd-ranked Maldives, the 69th-ranked Blue Tigresses fielded eight debutants. Xaxa opened the scoring with a volley in the seventh minute and quickly doubled the lead a minute later. She then turned provider, assisting Lynda Kom in the 12th minute before completing her own hat-trick in the 15th minute. Debutant Neha scored her first international goal in the 16th minute and then set up Lynda Kom for her second goal in the 21st minute. Lynda completed her hat-trick before the half-hour mark, and Neha scored again just before halftime, making it 8-0.
see this link also….Indian Stars Shine Bright with ICC Awards 2024 Nominations
The second half saw continued dominance from India. Basfore scored the ninth goal early in the half and then assisted Lynda Kom for her fourth. Chanu added a stunning curler in the 54th minute, and substitute Dsouza scored two goals, with Halder netting her first international goal between Dsouza’s strikes.
India eased off in the final half-hour, focusing on possession and experimenting with midfield tactics.
This was the first of two friendlies against the Maldives. The second match will be played at the same venue on Thursday.
