Uzbekistan thrash Indian women’s team 5-1 in first friendly match
Uzbekistan came from a goal down in the fifth minute to notch up a convincing 5-1 win over the Indian women’s team at the Yakkasary Stadium in Tashkent on Friday. Bala Devi scored India’s solitary goal before the hosts struck twice before and three after the break to complete a resounding win.
The first-half began with a bang for India as Bala Devi found the back of the net as early as the fifth minute. Sanju Yadav’s cross from the left flank found Dangmei Grace, who slid it through for Bala to put India into the lead. The Women in Blue came close to doubling their lead moments later through Grace, whose shot from the edge of the penalty area was saved by the Uzbek goalie Laylo Tilovova.
From then on, the match opened up and chances came in a hurry at either end. India’s goalie Aditi Chauhan was forced into a sharp save 15 minutes into the match, while at the other end, Bala saw her shot from close range stopped just two minutes later. Another seven minutes later, Grace nearly proved to be a bigger menace for the hosts when she created a second goal from a corner.
Just past the half-hour mark, however, the Indian side, coached by Maymol Rocky, was pegged by Uzbek forward Lyudmila Karachik, who found the net in the 31st minute. Defender Maftuna Shoyimova then scored in the 38th minute, leaving the hosts with the upper hand heading into the break.Â
India began brightly in the second half as well, winning a corner, before conceding minutes later in the 49th minute – Nilufar Kudratova adding a third for Uzbekistan. Sanju gave the hosts a slight scare of a comeback when her direct free-kick flew inches past the frame of the goal three minutes prior to the hour mark. However, two minutes later, the hosts added a fourth, before substitute Ugiloy Kuchkarova scored another eight minutes from time to complete the win. The next match between the two teams will be played on September 2 at the same venue.