ANI
24 Jun 2025, 22:44 GMT+10
Chiang Mai [Thailand], June 24 (ANI): The Indian women's football team recorded their biggest win in an official AFC match on Monday, June 13, defeating Mongolia 13-0 in the AFC Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers -- marking the fourth-biggest victory in the team's history.
Just six months ago, in Bengaluru, India defeated the Maldives 14-0 in a friendly. The Maldives were also on the receiving end of a 15-0 loss to India in the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon. But the biggest win remains the 18-0 mauling of Bhutan in the 2010 SAFF Championship. Despite Monday's 13-0 defeat of Mongolia being India's record-breaker in an AFC Women's Asian Cup (qualifiers and finals), coach Crispin Chettri affirmed that his side has the potential to play even better.
'Sometimes, you don't have to look at scorelines. You need to move on. We just need to do our job, and that is to score goals. I know scoring is not always easy, no matter who the opponents are. At the same time, we must be more clinical and professional and finish whatever chances come our way. We can be much better, I know,' Crispin Chettri said as quoted by the AIFF official website.
But that isn't to say Chettri was not delighted with the result. The Blue Tigresses began their hunt for the ticket to Australia next year in the best manner, already boosting their goal difference in a group where only the toppers will qualify, and it might come down to the final day when India take on the hosts Thailand on July 5.
'I know the first match is always difficult. But at the same time, we showed character and scored goals, many more in the second half, so I'm really happy with our performance,' he said.
Chettri's girls took their time to find the perfect rhythm and only scored four in the first 45 minutes. The rugged and slippery pitch didn't help either, but when they finally got into top gear, goals came from left, right and centre.
Pyari Xaxa contributed five of the first six. And three of those were assisted by Grace Dangmei, whose performance might have gone a bit under the radar since she didn't score until the 12th one from the spot. Soumya Guguloth was a terrific dribbler as usual on both flanks -- her crisp left-footed volley perhaps one of the best goals the Blue Tigresses have scored in recent times. Meanwhile, the Mongolian full-backs were left huffing and puffing trying to chase the minuscule Rimpa Haldar throughout the 90 minutes.
'We took time to settle in the first 45 minutes, and then we were more composed in the second half. We moved the ball around more than running ourselves. I think that helped a lot,' said Chettri.
The second half substitutions turned out to be equally, if not more, effective. On the right wing, Malavika picked up from where Soumya left off and scored her first India goal. So did Priyadharshini Selladurai, who was cool as a cucumber with the first touch and hot as fire with the finish into the bottom corner.
With five days until the next match versus Timor-Leste, who drew goalless with Iraq in their first game, there are a few things Chettri and his coaching staff will work on.
'Our movement on the flanks was much better in the second half. We want more composure in midfield. We want more people to take shots from outside the box. We want more variation in attack. That's what we need to work on. We watched the game between Timor-Leste and Iraq. In these remaining five days, we can prepare ourselves according to what the opponents are capable of,' concluded Chettri. (ANI)
Get a daily dose of Australian Herald news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Australian Herald.
More InformationWASHINGTON DC, - U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed a ceasefire has been reached between Israel and Iran. He made the claim on...
DUBAI, U.A.E.: British Iranians living in the U.K. are taken aback when they try to reach their families in Tehran on the phone and...
BRASILIA, Brazil: Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is accused of playing a key role in an illegal surveillance operation orchestrated...
ANKARA, Turkey: A Turkish far-right politician went on trial Wednesday, facing charges of inciting public hatred—an episode critics...
LONDON, U.K.: In a landmark moment for Britain, lawmakers in the House of Commons have voted in favour of legalising assisted dying,...
Western support for Israel's right to strike Iran backs up a pattern of pre-emptive violence that critics say is further eroding international...
Chiang Mai [Thailand], June 24 (ANI): The Indian women's football team recorded their biggest win in an official AFC match on Monday,...
Melbourne [Australia], June 24 (ANI): Cricket Australia has announced the squad and schedule for the upcoming Australia A women's series...
New Delhi [India], June 24 (ANI): The Delhi High Court has granted Bollywood actor Rajpal Naurang Yadav permission to travel abroad...
The Hague [Netherlands], June 24 (ANI): NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte expressed his apprehension about the situation in Taiwan...
New Delhi [India] June 24 (ANI): Australian batter, Usman Khawaja, reflected on how he can be perceived as having a problem against...
New Delhi [India], June 24 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a meeting with South Australia's Governor Frances Adamson...