Defending champions India started their SAFF Women's Championship 2022 campaign with a clinical 3-0 win over arch-rivals Pakistan at the Dasharath Rangasala Stadium in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Wednesday.
Pakistani captain Maria Jamila Khan scored an own goal in the 21st minute while Indian forward Dangmei Grace (23') doubled the lead shortly after. Soumya Guguloth (94') scored in the last minute of the extra time to make it 3-0 for India.
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The Indian women's football team, ranked 58th in the world, dominated possession in the opening 15 minutes against an unranked Pakistan but could not find the finishing touch in the attacking third.
On the other hand, Pakistan, playing their first international football match in eight years, sought to create chances from the flanks through Zulfia Nazir and Nadia Khan. However, Indian goalkeeper Aditi Chauhan and the backline led by captain Ashalata Devi denied Pakistan any meaningful openings.
The Indian women looked more settled as the match progressed. In the 21st minute, Indian midfielder Sandhiya Ranganathan's cross for Dangmei Grace inside the box found the hard touch of Pakistan's Maria Jamila Khan in front of the goal and gave India a 1-0 lead.
Two minutes later, Indian midfielder Anju Tamang beat the Pakistani defence and delivered a precise pass to Dangmei Grace, who fired in a low shot from the left at the near post to make it 2-0 for India.
Pakistan tried to mount a comeback in the remainder of the first half through occasional setpieces. The Indian women, too, had chances to put the game beyond Pakistan's reach but Pakistan goalkeeper Syeda Mahpara denied them. India went into the half-time with a 2-0 lead.
Pakistan were much more creative in the second half and relied on counter-attacks.
In the 57th minute, Pakistan earned a free-kick from just outside the box. Maria Khan's attempt, however, hit the Indian wall and an on-target shot on the rebound was easily collected by Aditi Chauhan.
India's best chance in the second half came in the 65th minute but Dangmei Grace ended up handling the ball in front of an open goal after Pakistan's goalkeeper fell due to a body clash with her own defender.
India enjoyed a good spell of attacking football from there and forced Pakistan to park the bus in front of the goal from the 75th minute.
Pakistan goalkeeper Syeda Mahpara was also resolute in front of her goal.
India finally found their third goal in the fourth minute of the extra time when Ranjana Chanu's precise low cross from the left found Soumya Guguloth. Soumya made no mistakes and placed it in the bottom corner.
Five-time champions India will next face the Maldives on Friday followed by the match against Bangladesh on September 13. The top two teams from the group will qualify for the semi-finals.
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