The 7th edition of the SAFF Women’s Champion is underway in Nepal as top teams from South Asia play each other for the ultimate prize. Pakistan Women’s Football team suffered a heavy defeat against arch-rivals India in the tournament opener. The much-awaited tie between the two neighboring countries was a one-sided affair as the India Women’s Football team won the contest by five goals to two.
Pakistan 2-5 India – as it happened
Playing their first competitive fixture in over a year, the Pakistan Women’s Football team was always bound to struggle against their superior opponents. The Shaheens were a bit sloppy in possession in the early stages of the game allowing India to mount pressure on their defensive line.
Eventually, the Blue Tigresses were able to breach Pakistan’s defense in the fifth minute of the game. Ranjana Chanu played a dangerous cross towards the center circle that found Grace Dangmei at the edge of the box. The 28-year-old controlled the ball well and curled it into the top corner leaving the opposition’s goalkeeper rooted to the spot.
After conceding early, the Women in Green were beginning to show some resilience against the opposition’s attacks. Their build-up play was starting to improve and they were starting to move the ball forward well.
But while doing so, they lost possession in the middle of the park and the opposition made them pay. Manisha slotted the ball comfortably past Nisha, in goal, to give her side a two-goal lead.
Things got worse for Pakistan as their rivals increased their lead to three goals in the 36th minute of the game. The veteran, Bala Devi, slotted the ball into the top right corner of the goal after India was awarded an indirect free kick. By doing so she scored a historic 50th international goal for her country.
The left flank was the focal point of attack for the India Women’s Football team throughout the first half. Their tactic paid off again when they managed to score their fourth goal of the night. Ranjana Chanu’s brilliant cross created havoc inside the six-yard box as Pakistan’s defense was unable to clear the ball.
The ball fell into the path of Grace, who made no mistake by burying the ball home to score her second goal of the night.
The Shaheens were able to end the first half on a positive note, by scoring from the penalty spot in the stoppage time. Nadia Khan was brought down by the Indian skipper, giving the referee no choice but to point towards the six-yard box.
Suha Irani stepped up to take the spot kick and finished emphatically to reduce her side’s deficit to three goals.
Second Half – as it happened
Pakistan began the second half on the front foot and was able to score an early goal. Rameen’s effort from outside the box got deflected and fell into the path of Kayla Siddiqui. The center-back controlled the ball well and slotted the ball home calmly past the Indian goalkeeper.
The Shaheens buoyed by that early goal were beginning to look more potent as the game moved forward. Right at the hour mark, they had a brilliant opportunity to score their third goal of the game. After a decent bit of footwork, Isra found Zahmena Malik in the six-yard box.
Unfortunately, the 22-year-old failed to guide the ball towards the goal. It was quite an unusual miss for a player of her caliber.
The India Women’s football team restored their three-goal cushion in the 78th minute of the game by scoring from a corner kick. Jyoti Chauhan headed home Dalima’s corner kick from the right flank.
The Blue Tigresses continued to pile up the pressure on their opponents as the game approached the closing stages. But Pakistan’s defense was up to the task and was able to see out the game without conceding any further goals.
What’s next for the Pakistan and India Women’s Football team?
Both the sides face, defending champions, Bangladesh in their next games. The Shaheens face them on the 20th of October. Whereas the India Women’s Football team locks horns with them on the 23rd of October.
Pakistan needs to avoid defeat (at least) in their next fixture to keep their chances of progressing to the semi-finals alive. Whereas India is almost guaranteed a spot in the semifinals.
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