Defending champions India and Bangladesh recorded lopsided wins against the Maldives and Afghanistan respectively in the third South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Women’s Championship at the Jinnah Stadium on Thursday.
While India blanked the Maldives 8-0, Bangladesh outplayed Afghanistan 6-1.
In the day’s first match, Indian striker Ngangom Bala Devi scored four goals either sides of half time. She was assisted by two other Devis — Yumnam Kamala Devi (two goals) and Oinam Bembem Devi (one).
During the last minutes of the game, Jvoti Ann Burrett joined the Devis, scoring a beautiful goal to make it 8-0 for India. It all started with Bala Devi’s goal in the 24th minute giving India 1-0 lead that remained intact till halftime.
Though the Maldives tried to put up some resistance in the second half, they could not prevent Bala Devi from registering her second goal in the 46th minute.
Kamala Devi then showed her goal-scoring skill by netting the ball in the 64th as India went ahead 3-0.
At this stage, as the Maldives defenders looked upset Bala Devi took full advantage of their defence errors scoring two more back-to-back goals in the 72nd and 74th.
To add to the Maldives’ misery, Oinam Bembem Devi scored in the 76th minute and Kamala Devi added another one in the 85th to put India in supreme 7-0 lead.
Jvoti’s strike in the closing minutes of the one-sided game sealed a clinical 8-0 victory for India.
“We are very happy at recording a convincing win in our first match. We are here to win the tournament,” Bala Devi told Dawn.
“It’s a great moment for us because the first match of an event always carries immense importance. This victory has handed us advantage for the remaining matches,” Indian coach Tarun Roy said while talking to Dawn.
Saying that his team attended special training session at Patiala for this tournament, the coach added: “I hope we will manage to defend the title.”
Meanwhile, Bangladesh outclassed Afghanistan 6-1 in the day’s second clash.
Afghanistan started aggressively and during the first 20 minutes they made several goal-scoring attempts. The intent paid dividends as Marjan gave Afghanistan lead in the 23rd minute.
But this was the end of Afghan women’s domination in the game as Bangladesh launched an impressive fightback.
Ten minutes later, Bangladesh through Maynu Mrama levelled the scoreline. Later, Srimati Kirashna Rani Sarkar scored three goals, Sabina Khatoon and Masooamat Munmun Ahter one each to help their team register a resounding victory.
During the last stages of the match, Afghanistan goalkeeper Wida Zemarai, while trying to stop a shot from a Bangladesh forward, suffered a head injury as she collided with the goal post. Wida was taken to Poly Clinic Hospital where she was reported to be in stable condition.
“Wida is okay after she received initial treatment at the hospital. We have brought her to hostel. She had two stitches on her head and is now improving,” Irfan Niazi, a Pakistan Football Federation official, said.
Friday’s matches:
Bhutan vs Sri Lanka (11:00am)
Pakistan vs Nepal (2:30pm)
