The China touring India Women’s national team breezed past Century Park FC 4-2 in a friendly match in Shanghai on Saturday.

Striker Bala Devi notched up a hattrick and midfielder Premi Devi added another as India dominated their opponents from start to finish.

Bala – who delivered a glut of goals in the Women’s Nationals – pulled away from the hosts as 6th minute, running 20 yards to get on the end of a delightful move from the left flank. The tall Manipuri striker then hoodwinked her marker to slam home with the goalkeeper in position to thwart the powerful effort.

The second goal came four minutes later this time Bala slaloming past three defenders to finally round off goalkeeper and guide the ball into the back of the net. With Bala in sublime form, the rest of the team looked in fine fettle too.

Four minutes past the half hour mark, Prameshwori slid in Bala and she on the day could do nothing wrong. It was 3-0 and the opponents were already looking for cover.

Post the breather, it was the same story as Premi Devi got on the scoresheet with a clinical strike from 25 yards. The hosts pulled two back in the 60th and 72nd minutes but the India rearguard showed solidarity in the dying minutes to not let the cushion plummet further.

INDIA LINE-UP
Aditi Chauhan, Ashalata Devi, Umapati Devi, Radharani Devi, Tuli Goon, Bembem Devi [C], Premi Devi, Kamala Devi, Mandakini Devi, Prameshwori Devi, Bala Devi

(Report & Picture courtesy AIFF Media)