Selayang (Malaysia): The India U17 women’s national team began their AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers campaign for the finals to be played in China in 2027 on a rousing note, demolishing Iraq 14-0 in a record-breaking effort at the MP Selayang Stadium in Selayang, Malaysia, on Monday.
Anushka Kumari, Silky Devi Sorokhaibam, Thandamoni Baskey and Nira Chanu Longjam were India’s scorers in the first half, while Anushka Kumari added two more in the second and was adjudged the Player of the Match.
Skipper and centre-back Abhista Basnett headed home two goals, while Joya and Alva Devi Senjam completed the record tally. The India U17 team’s biggest wins before this were the 12-0 verdicts over UAE (2014) and Sri Lanka (2018).
Producing a brilliant display of ceaseless running, close marking and effective one-touch play, the Young Tigresses dominated the proceedings to such an extent that Iraq had little or no clue as to what struck them before lightning and thunder did strike the area 64 minutes into the second half, resulting in a stoppage of half an hour.
Joakim Alexandersson’s midfield made all the difference as they played a very neat and compact game. Their marking and distribution were exemplary and never allowed Iraq much possession, let alone liberties for most of the game.
Redima Devi Chingkhamayum, Thandamoni Baskey, Silky Devi Sorokhaibam and Alva Devi Senjam did well to utilise the width of the ground to stretch Iraq wide and then push home some wonderful through passes for their forwards to run into and fire or place home from inside the penalty box.
Redima, in particular, was at her brilliant best. The attackers Anushka and Nira also responded well to utilise the openings and slot home without blemish. The defence had little work to do in the process.
The floodgates opened as the Indians stepped up the attack and made the most of a square-playing Iraqi defence to punch home goal after goal. Anushka hit home twice and then added another after Silky found the net twice for her first international goals, while Thandamoni and Nira scored once each as India went into the break leading 7-0.
Anushka Kumari struck her fourth and the team’s eighth goals as she swiped home a fine cross from the right by Alva just two minutes after the restart. Substitute Pritika Barman made it 9-0 as she hit home a rebound from substitute goalkeeper Asmaa Shivan Ahmed.
The Indians continued to dominate, but the Iraq custodian pulled off a couple of smart saves to deny them more goals. After 64 minutes of play, the players were called in due to inclement weather.
The match resumed after half an hour. While the Indians adapted well to the wet conditions, the Iraqis struggled with it. Abhista outjumped the rest to head home Ritu Badaik’s dipping corner from the right. Anushka then placed home from just outside the box for her fifth goal in an incredible display of clinical finishing.
Joya was then left to fill an empty net as Pritika rounded the goalkeeper and squared into the box for the record-equalling goal for India in this age group. Abhista once again headed home Ritu’s corner for what was the record-breaking effort. Forcing a free-kick in added time, Yashica Haribabu chipped the ball towards the centre of the goal. It came off the bar. Abhista got to it, but her effort saw the ball rise high and drop down into the six-yard box. Alva ran in to head low to improve the record to 14-0 eventually.
India will meet Syria next on October 8 at 13:00 IST before going up against hosts Malaysia on October 11 at 18:30 IST in Group E. Only the group winners will qualify for the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2027.
(IANS)
