India out of U-20 AFC Women’s Asian Cup race after draw against Vietnam in qualifiers

Both India and Vietnam had six points while the hosts had an advantage with a higher goal difference (+14 as compared to +13 of India).

Published : Mar 11, 2023 19:24 IST

It was the first time India dropped points in the qualifiers and that cost it heaviy in securing a spot in the U20 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
It was the first time India dropped points in the qualifiers and that cost it heaviy in securing a spot in the U20 AFC Women’s Asian Cup. | Photo Credit: AIFF media
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It was the first time India dropped points in the qualifiers and that cost it heaviy in securing a spot in the U20 AFC Women’s Asian Cup. | Photo Credit: AIFF media

India settled for a 1-1 draw against hosts Vietnam to be knocked out of contention for Round 2 of the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers, here on Saturday.

Needing a win in its final Group F match to make the cut, India drew first blood through Babina Devi’s 12th-minute strike. But the goal was cancelled out by Tran Nhat Lan (45+2nd).

Both teams finished on seven points from three matches each in the four-team group.

However, India (+13) was knocked out because of their inferior goal difference with Vietnam (+14).

India won against Singapore and Indonesia in its opening two fixtures, and it all boiled down to its final-round group clash against the hosts.

The game kicked off with India in the ascendancy, the hosts’ nervousness evident in their inability to string clean passes in the midfield.

In the 12th minute, Babina Devi produced a moment of magic when she picked up a half-cleared header from Neha’s cross around 30 yards from goal, took a neat first touch and let fly.

The ball rocketed into the top left corner, Vietnam goalkeeper Danh Thi Kieu My’s fingers grasping at it but unable to do much more.

Shocked and a bit dazed, Vietnam started stringing together passes and controlling more of the game, while India looked happy to sit back and play on the counter.

Right on the stroke of halftime, Vietnam had its reward. The ball fell to Tran Nhat Lan, who let fly only to see her shot bounce off the post.

Fortuitously, the rebound went through several shirts and fell back to her. This time, she turned, twisted and placed the ball into the opposite corner to draw her team level.

Vietnam slowed the game down in the second period, drawing fouls, and turning the match into a rather dull affair.

Coach Maymol Rocky’s two substitutes Sumati Kumari and Mousumi Murmu brought some much-needed vigour to a floundering front line but were unable to pierce the Vietnam defence.

India thus crashed out despite being unbeaten in three games.

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