AFC Women’s Olympic: India Defeats Kyrgyz Republic Again

Indian Women’s football team has defeated host Kyrgyz Republic again with 4-0 score, and entered into the AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifiers Round 2.

Sandhiya Ranganathan scored a pair of goals, while Anju Tamang and substitute Renu also scored for India against the Kyrgyz Republic on Friday. India had already beaten the hosts 5-0 in the opening game of the week.

The Blue Tigresses got off to a strong start, and it did not take long for them to take the lead when Sandhiya netted in the 18th minute by overcoming two defenders and then slotting her shot past the opponent’s goalkeeper.

Soon after, Karthika Angamuthu was knocked off for an off-the-ball challenge on Kyrgyz skipper Aizhan Boronbekova.

Anju Tamang doubled India’s advantage in the 24th minute with a half-volley goal.

Just one minute after the goal, Thomas Dennerby substituted midfielder Sangita Basfore for winger Soumya Guguloth to reinforce the midfield after the red card.

Anju and Sandhiya continued to lead an uproar of attacks for India, going close to scoring on several times, but the score maintained 2-0 as the teams returned inside for a break.

India continued where they left off in the 2nd half, and Sandhiya tallied her second goal of the evening shortly after.

Indumathi Kathiresan, a midfielder, surged forward on the left and sent a low cross that Sandhiya rocketed into the top corner to make it 3-0 for India.

Kyrgyz Republic, with a player advantage, attempted to extend the Indian defense wide. Dennerby countered this by substituting the speedy fullback Ranjana Chanu for Manisa Panna.

Dennerby made numerous substitutions with ten minutes remaining in regulation, as Renu, Michel Castanha, and Dangmei Grace succeeded Indumathi, Sangita, and Sandhiya.

Renu knocked in a corner kick by Dalima Chhibber and looped it over the head of the opponent’s custodian to make the score 4-0 immediately after the substitution.

Following her introduction, Grace made a few incisive runs on the left side and appeared to be in good form. On her initial attempt, she cut inside from the left, ducked past two defenders, and then ran into a dead end.

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The second time she was played in behind the Kyrgyz defense on the left wing, she attempted to cut back from the goal line, but her throw lacked momentum and went out of play.