The crucial opening for their attack was India’s entry into the Pakistani box via the broad channels.
With a 3-0 victory over Pakistan in their opening encounter on Wednesday at Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu, defending champions India got the 2022 SAFF Women’s Championship off to a good start.
Goals by Dangmei Grace and Soumya Gaguloth helped the Blue Tigress win the game after Pakistan captain Maria Jamil Khan’s own goal had given Pakistan the lead in the first half.
The crucial opening for their attack was India’s entry into the Pakistani box via the broad channels. Sandhiya Ranganathan, who was working in the left channel, sent a low cross that was not effectively dealt with by Pakistan goalkeeper Shahid Bukhari and fell in the path of the advancing Pakistan captain, who was unable to control it in time. The first goal was the outcome of this.
Dangmei Grace scored India’s second goal by slipping a pass through to her on the right side of the box from the edge of the box, and she blasted it past the goalkeeper at the near post. Anju Tamang had set up the second goal.
Soumya Gaguloth’s left-footed goal, which was all that was needed to make it 3-0, came from a low cross that fell right in the area late in the second half and was uncontested by Pakistan.
In their respective matches against Bangladesh and the Maldives, respectively, on Saturday, September 10, both teams will now participate.
