Indian Women's Football beat Egypt 1-0, a historic feat

Indian women's football team won their first of the two friendlies in Jordan as they beat Egypt 1-0 at the Prince Mohammad Stadium in Amman, Jordan on Wednesday.

Naorem Priyangka Devi's goal in the 32nd minute was the only one scored on the night as India ran away victors.

This was the first international game for the Indian Women's Football team since the AFC Asian Cup debacle, where they were withdrawn from the tournament because they were unable to field a team due to massive number of Covid-19 cases in the camp.

India are also slated to play another friendly against Jordan.

India started with Sowmiya Narayanasamy in the goal. The defence line consisted of Dalima Chhibber, Sweety Devi, Ashalata Devi and Sanju. The midfield was manned by Martina Thokchom, Priyangka, Anju while the front three were Dangmei Grace, Renu and Manisha Kalyan.

Before the opposition could settle into the game, a sudden strike by Priyangka in the 32nd minute gave India the early lead, and remained the only goal of the match. Dalima managed to pass the ball to Priyangka through Manisha's brilliant cross from the left and eventually, the young midfielder found the back of the net. The halftime score read 1-0 in favour of India.

The second half was played out on similar lines with Indian Women's Football team creating more chances, as head coach Thomas Dennerby made his first change at the restart, replacing forward Renu with Pyari Xaxa.Ten minutes after the resumption, Pyari came close to scoring in the 53rd minute as she got on the end of a cross from Manisha with an excellent run, but the shot was saved by the keeper.

Couple of more substitutions followed as Sandhiya came on in place of Anju Tamang, and Soumya and Ratanbala were introduced in place of Grace and Priyangka Devi respectively.

The prolific Egyptian captain Engy Ahmed Sayed tried her luck from close range before the hour-mark, but Sowmiya stood tall to deny her confidently.

Hayam Abdellatif had the final effort for Egypt in the dying minutes of the game but her effort landed safely into Sowmiya's gloves. The last change was made by Dennerby at the final minutes of the regulation time when Manisha was replaced by Mariyammal.

The match soon came to an end, and the Indian Women's Team earned their first victory in Jordan and there by became the first ever Indian women's team to beat an African Nation in a FIFA recognised Match.