Ranzi Sports

The Indian women’s football team faced a narrow 1-0 defeat against Uzbekistan in the first of two FIFA international friendlies held at Bengaluru’s Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence on Friday.

After a goalless first half, the match-winning moment came in the 56th minute when Uzbekistan’s Diyorakhon Khabibullaeva tapped in a precise cross from Maftuna Shoyimova, who was freed down the left flank. This goal handed the world No. 50 Uzbekistan the victory over India, ranked 69th.

India’s head coach, Crispin Chettri, handed three debuts in this game to midfielder Priyadharshini and attackers Manisha Naik and Malavika, signaling his intent to test new options ahead of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers starting next month.

The match began evenly, with India earning several corners while goalkeeper and captain Panthoi Chanu was solid in goal, especially in the early exchanges. One highlight was in the eighth minute when Panthoi did well to collect the ball from Nilufar Kudratova after the Uzbekistan forward was played through behind India’s defense.

Around the half-hour mark, Diyorakhon received an aerial through ball and looked set to challenge Panthoi one-on-one, but India’s centre-back Shilky Devi showed excellent awareness and physical presence to contain her, allowing Panthoi to secure the ball.

As the game progressed, India began to gain more composure and built attacks in the Uzbek third. Soumya Guguloth initiated a counterattack by threading a pass to Dangmei Grace, who outran the Uzbekistan defense and faced only the goalkeeper. However, Maftuna Jonimqulova rushed out to deny Grace by snatching the ball away.

In the second half, Coach Chettri made a tactical switch by bringing striker Pyari Xaxa on for Manisha Naik, pushing Grace into midfield. This reshuffle helped India enjoy longer possession spells in the Uzbekistan half, though it also left them vulnerable to a counter-attack that led to the decisive goal.

Diyorakhon’s goal came from a pinpoint cross by Shoyimova, and she nearly doubled the lead around the hour mark with a volley from another cross, but Panthoi made a crucial save to keep India in the game.

India pushed hard for an equaliser with Pyari as the focal point of their attack. Phanjoubam Nirmala Devi delivered a looping cross from the right that Pyari headed towards goal, but the effort lacked power and drifted wide with about 20 minutes remaining. Later, Sumati Kumari’s low cross found Pyari again near the edge of the box, but her shot was well saved by Jonimqulova.

Despite their efforts, India couldn’t find the breakthrough, and the match ended 1-0 in favor of Uzbekistan. The two teams will face each other again in the second FIFA international friendly on June 3.

Crispin Chettri’s squad will look to use these friendlies as valuable preparation for the upcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers.