India dominates Pakistan 5-2 in SAFF Women’s Championship opener
With this win, India secured three points in Group A, boosting their chances of reaching the semifinals.
KATHMANDU: India, the five-time champion, made a victorious start in the SAFF Women’s Championship, defeating Pakistan 5-2 in their opening match. The game took place on Thursday at the Dasharath Stadium in Tripureshwor.
With this win, India secured three points in Group A, boosting their chances of reaching the semifinals. Group A consists of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
India took the lead as early as the 5th minute, when Grace Dangmei’s strike from inside the penalty box found the back of the net, with Pakistan’s goalkeeper Nisha Asraf unable to stop it. In the 17th minute, India doubled their lead through a solo effort by Manisha, who dribbled past defenders to score.
After gaining a two-goal advantage, India pressed high with four players. In the 28th minute, Chanu Sorokhaibam’s cross found Bala Devi, but her header was saved by Nisha Asraf. Bala Devi was just one goal away from her 50th international strike.
In the 35th minute, a back pass from a Pakistani player was collected by goalkeeper Nisha Asraf, leading Nepali referee Anjana Rai to award an indirect free kick. Bala Devi capitalized on this opportunity, scoring her 50th international goal.
India scored again in the 42nd minute when a shot by one of their players deflected off Pakistani captain Maria Khan and into the net. However, Pakistan managed to reduce the deficit in injury time of the first half, as Suha Hirani converted a penalty into the top corner, making it 4-1.
Early in the second half, Pakistan showed signs of a comeback, with Kayal Siddiqui scoring to bring the score to 4-2. Bala Devi was substituted in the 58th minute, with Jyoti Chauhan coming on in her place. Pakistan had chances to further reduce the goal difference, but they missed opportunities in the 61st, 64th, and 68th minutes, with Ira Khan, Amina Hanif, and Jemina Malik failing to convert their chances.
India sealed the win in the 78th minute, when substitute Jyoti Chauhan scored a header from a Dalima Chhibber corner, bringing the final score to 5-2.
