India defeated Afghanistan 5-1 in their group B encounter in the 4th SAFF Women’s Championship at Siliguri, India.
Indian side with their constant attacking game got an early reward in the 3rd minute. Dalima Chhibber threw a wonderful cross to find Kamala who made no mistake in collecting the ball and slotting it home.
Dangmei Grace looked dangerous in the 8th minute as she drove in from the right but lost possession to her marker.
India almost got their second goal through Kamala in the 27th minute only to see the linesman pointing out the flag indicating an offside, that however was just not enough for Afghanistan to get away from conceding the second goal of the match as in the very next minute Dangmei was dangerously brought down inside the box for which the ref made no hesitation in awarding a penalty to the Indian Side.
Sasmita Malik who took the spot kick made no mistake in slotting it home making it 2-0 in favour of India.
The Indian side still dominated the game giving no chance to the Afghani strikers to make their move as they were kept busy defending by the Indian attacks which ultimately got paid off once again in the 31st minute. Kamala devi took it solo this time before taking a powerful swinger which left the Afghani keeper watch the ball hit the back of the net.
As the half-time grew closer, team India had another opportunity to get the 4th goal as they were once again awarded a penalty. The ref caught Mobarez Shabnam handling the ball inside the box.
Bala devi who took the shot missed her target and instead ended up hitting the bar much to the relief of the Afghani keeper.
In the dying minutes of the first Half, India managed to squeeze in another goal through Dangmei Grace making it 4-0 in favour of India in the nick of Half-time.
59 minutes into the game and India were still leading Afghanistan by 4 goals, still keeping possession of the ball and still creating opportunities to get another one.
Afghanistan finally were able to get back one in the 88th minute through Muhtaj Farkhunda who took the shot form inside the box with the Indian defenders marking her close. In the 90th minute the score line read India 4-1 Afghanistan.
Team India got their final goal and the match winner through Sanju in the added time. Dangheis cross found Sanju who made no mistake in slotting the ball home.
