Sri Lanka women’s team eased to a comfortable 2-1 victory over Pakistan in the opening match of the 3rd SAFF Women’s Football Championship at the Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Captain Ishara Madushani gave Sri Lanka the lead into halftime while vice captain Erandi Kumudumala doubled the lead in the 86th minute.
Pakistan captain Hajra Khan scored a consolation goal on the stroke of full time.
Federal Minister IPC Riaz Hussain Pirzada was the chief guest for the opening ceremony which was attended by all the participating teams.
Sri Lanka took advantage of the young and inexperienced Pakistan side to dominate the first half and played much of the football in the opposition half.
The visitors were rewarded for their hard work when Madushani scored the opener going into half time.
Pakistan had a few chances to equalize in the second half but Kumudumala managed to ease the Sri Lankan nerves with the second goal before Hajra Khan added her country’s first.
Pakistan coach Tariq Lutfi was disappointed with the loss but admitted this will be good experience for the young side.
“We are a very young and inexperienced team. We lack exposure, I am sure if we get more international exposure, we can perform well. We showed good fight in the second half,” she told.
“We played for a win but luck wasn’t on our side. We will play a better game next match.” Captain Hajra told at the post match press conference.
Bhutan will meet Nepal in the other group B match on the 12th of November.
