Ranzi Sports

The Indian women’s football team kicked off the New Year in spectacular fashion, delivering a stunning 11-1 victory over the Maldives at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru on Thursday.

This match not only showcased the team’s prowess but also highlighted the remarkable talent emerging within Indian women’s football.

One of the standout performers of the match was Lhingdeikim, who made an unforgettable debut by netting four goals. Her scoring spree began in the 12th minute with a powerful right-footed shot from inside the box, setting the tone for what would become a dominant performance by the Blue Tigresses.

Just three minutes later, she assisted Kajol Dsouza, who scored her first international goal in the 15th minute, further solidifying India’s early lead. Lhingdeikim then added her second goal in the 16th minute, capitalizing on a well-placed through ball from Sibani Devi. The Maldives’ captain, Hawwa Haneefa, inadvertently contributed to India’s tally with an own goal in the 17th minute, pushing the score to 4-0.

Despite the early onslaught, the Maldives managed to find a moment of respite and scored their only goal of the match through Mariyam Rifa in the 27th minute.

This brief flicker of hope was quickly extinguished as India continued to assert their dominance. Pooja and Sibani Devi each found the back of the net before halftime, bringing the score to a staggering 6-1 as the teams headed into the break.

The second half saw Lhingdeikim maintain her scoring momentum, netting her third goal in the 56th minute after a well-executed setup from Pooja. Just three minutes later, she completed her hat-trick, showcasing her clinical finishing ability and further extending India’s lead.

Substitute Simran Gurung, who also made her debut, added to the Maldives’ woes by scoring two goals shortly after coming on for Basfore at halftime. Her contributions highlighted the depth of talent within the Indian squad and the potential for future matches.

As the match progressed, the Maldives faced even more challenges when Maeesha Abdul Hannan was sent off for a deliberate handball in the penalty area.

This incident led to a penalty kick, which Khumukcham Bhumika Devi confidently converted, bringing the final score to an impressive 11-1.

The Indian women’s football team, currently ranked 69th in the world, demonstrated their superiority against the 163