The India women's football team drew 3-3 against Myanmar in the second round of AFC Olympic qualifiers and narrwoly missed out on a historic entry into the next round of qualifiers.
Ahead of the match, India and host Myanmar were level on points (6) in the group and India needed a win to go through to the next round because of Myanmar's superior goal difference. A hat-trick from Win Theingi Tun meant India could only muster a draw and went out on goal difference.
India started the stronger, opening the scoring in the ninth minute. Ratanbala Devi sent a good low cross into the box and Sadhiya Ranganathan, who made an excellent run in, guided it in with a smooth finish.
Myanmar equalised in the 17th minute when Tun headed in a good cross from the left, past India goalkeeper Linthoingambi Devi.
Myanmar soon found itself in the lead when Tun went down in the box under a challenge by Jabamani Tudu. Linthoi got a hand to Khin Moe Wai's penalty but Tun was there to score on the rebound.
However, a horrendous mistake at the back from the Myanmar defence let India level the score in the 32nd minute. The goalkeeper tried to clear a weak backpass, but it went only as far as the edge of the box where Sandhiya Ranganathan chested it down and played it to Sanju. Sanju made no mistake guiding the ball into an open goal.
India took the lead again in the 64th minute. Grace's attempt to play a ball into the box took a deflection and ended up at the feet of Ratanbala Devi who dinked it over the 'keeper to put India 3-2 up.
Tun got her hat-trick and Myanmar equalised in the 73rd minute with a fine move, weaving through the Indian defence.
Sanju had a chance to put India in command in the 76th minute when she ran clear of the defensive mix, but the Myanmar goalkeeper made a reflex save from close range to tip her shot over the bar.
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