The Indian women’s national team defeated Bangladesh 7-1 in its second contest of the 2020 AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifiers Round 1, in Yangon on Sunday. With the first match against Nepal having been drawn, the team is unbeaten in the competition so far.
Bala Devi was wrecker-in-chief of the one-sided contest, with four goals; Kamala Devi accounted for two goals, and Sanju scored one. Bangladesh managed to score a consolation goal late in the contest, through Krishna Rani.
The contest started out evenly, until India scored its first goal in the 16th minute. Bala Devi was brought down by an opposition player; Kamala Devi converted the penalty awarded to get her team off the mark. Seven minutes later, Bala Devi opened her account, converting an excellent cross from the right by Grace Dangmei.
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Bala Devi conjured a 30-yard strike for a stunning goal in the next minute. The ball went in before the goalkeeper could react. India could have taken a bigger lead going into the break, but Ratanbala Devi’s long-range strike hit both sides of the goalpost before being collected by the keeper.
Goals galore
The Indians continued their goalscoring spree in the second half, which was played under numerous short spells of showers. In the 53rd minute, Kamala Devi scored her second goal; she turned in a cross from the right flank after the Bangladesh defence failed to clear the ball away. Nine minutes later, Bala Devi completed her hat-trick; she tapped the ball into the empty net after Sanju broke free down the left and unselfishly passed the ball across goal as she closed in on the keeper.
Sanju got a goal of her own in the 72nd minute; it was a delightful chip that that glided over the keeper and into the net. The Indians managed one more goal — Bala Devi added her fourth, converting a pass from Sanju from the left.
With 10 minutes to go, Bangladesh’s Krishna Rani scored from a tight angle. But it was too little, too late for the side.
- Final Score: India 7-1 Bangladesh
- India (Starting XI): Aditi Chauhan, Sweety Devi, Ashalata Devi, Jabamani Tudu, Sangita, Ratanbala Devi, Sanju, Kamala Devi, Bala Devi, Grace Dangmei, Dalima Chhibber.
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