- India U-20 Women’s team finishes Pink Ladies Youth Cup campaign with a 3-0 defeat to Russia.
- Russia scores twice in the first 17 minutes and adds another early in the second half.
- India creates several chances but fails to score in the match.
The Indian U-20 women’s football team concluded their Pink Ladies Youth Cup campaign with a 0-3 loss to Russia at the Emirhan Sports Center on February 25, in Manavgat (Turkey). Russia took an early lead, scoring twice within the first 17 minutes, and added a third goal shortly after the second-half restart. Despite creating several opportunities, India was unable to find the back of the net.
The Young Tigresses had earlier secured wins against Jordan (2-1) and Hong Kong (1-0). These friendly matches served as preparation for the upcoming SAFF U-20 Women’s Championship and AFC U-20 women’s Asian cup qualifiers, set to take place in July and august, respectively.
The match began with both India and Russia pushing forward in the opening ten minutes. Lhingdeikim’s 20-yard shot flew just over the crossbar, while Arina Shuba forced India’s goalkeeper, Moirangthem Monalisha Devi, into a one-on-one save. As the game progressed, Russia began to take control, pinning India into their defensive half. In the 15th minute, Mariia Nachaeva scored with a header from a free-kick delivered by Tatiana Danilochkina, putting Russia ahead.
Lhingdeikim, who scored against Jordan, came the closest to getting a goal for India. The 17-year-old turned her marker inside out and took a low shot with her left foot. The goalkeeper was beaten but Iuliana Kamorina produced a superb goal-line clearance to deny her.
Lhingdeikim also saw a curling right-footed free-kick saved at the far corner by Uliana Obukhova. Sibani Devi and Pooja, who scored the match-winners against Hong Kong and Jordan, respectively, missed the target by a whisker. Sibani showed good presence of mind to intercept a ball in the Russian box but sent a left-footed shot over the crossbar. Pooja took a first-time shot on the turn just outside the box but it sailed inches over the target.
In the final moments of the match, Neha’s corner found Toijam Thoibisana Chanu, but her volley from six yards went over the bar. Despite their efforts, the Young Tigresses couldn’t secure a consolation goal, finishing their Turkiye tour with two wins and one defeat.
