The India U-16 Women’s National Team suffered a 0-2 defeat against the Philippines in their opening clash of the 2017 AFC U-16 Women’s Championship Qualifiers in Wei Fang, China today.

The Indian girls suffered a nervy start as they were left reeling conceding as early as the 6th minute after a lapse in the Indian defence line saw Tejanee Isulat placing the ball home to give the Philippines an early lead.

Albeit gradually, the Indian girls tried to equalize their deficit and garnered two glorious goal scoring opportunities, both however went abegging. In the 8th minute, Vanlalhriattiri was released onto goal by Bannya, but the former with the Filipino goalkeeper at her mercy, shot astray of the goal.

Four minutes later, Vanlalhriattiri once again went on a one versus one scenario with the opponent custodian and once again, her shot wayward of the intended target.

Although the Philippines almost doubled their lead in the 16th minute, when a Filipino counter-attack rattled the Indian woodwork, the Indian team showcased a fighting spirit and kept searching for the equalizer.

In the 25th minute, Soumya Guguloth took the Filipino defence single-handedly as she took to her bike, after beating three defenders in her wake, and rushed towards goal. Soumya’s valiant run however, did not receive a glorious conclusion as she failed to find the back of the net.

It was like déjà vu altogether again, in the 42nd minute, Soumya once again capitalized on Bhagyashree’s through ball, blazed towards goal, and failed to find the target.

The Indian U-16 Women’s Naional Team could have equalized their deficit before half-time but failure to convert cost the Eves as they went into the tunnel trailing by a solitary goal to nil.

In what was a cagey second half, India dominated possession, created chances but lacked the necessary prowess to convert their chances.

In the 68th minute, Thailand Devi released a delicious cross for Renu in the 18 yard box, the latter made contact with the cross but the Filipino custodian made a top class save to deny India the equalizer.

The Philippines doubled their lead against the run of play in the 76th minute to make the scoreline read 2-0.

In the last 10 minutes of the match, the Indian team garnered three clear goal scoring opportunities but were left reeling as failure to covert cost the Indian girls the match.

After the Filipino custodian fluffed her lines, Soumya failed to capitalize and her shot crept inches away from the unguarded goal in the 82nd minute. Four minutes later, Sanathokpi failed to head the ball home from handshaking distance after a cross from the right flank.

In the 87th minute, substitute Karishma was found clear of the defensive mix in the 18 yard box, but instead of hammering the ball home, Karishma tried to poke it beneath the onrushing custodian, but failed.

The Indian girls pressed hard to reduce their deficit but the Filipino defence thwarted their attacks in the dying embers of the match as the full-time scoreline read 2-0.

INDIA U-16 WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM | LINE-UP
Arumugam Archana (GK); Shanti Murmu [C], Janaki Murmu, Laxmi Kumari, Samiksha; Bhagyashree Dalvi (55’ Sanathokpi Devi), Grace Lalrampari, Bannya Kabiraj (75’ Karishma), Thailand Devi, Renu, Bawitlung Vanalalhriattiti (16’ Soumya Guguloth)

(Report & Photo courtesy AIFF Media)