Tashkent [Uzbekistan], October 26 (ANI): India failed to face up to a second-half storm in opposition to former World Cup champions Japan of their first match of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament Round 2, shedding 0-7 on the Lokomotiv Stadium, in Tashkent, on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Blue Tigresses head coach Thomas Dennerby had arrange a low block, taking part in a 5-3-2 formation, a method that labored effectively for the primary 45 minutes, managing to maintain the scoreline to a minimal of 0-1 on the breather.
The majority of the defensive work fell on the shoulders of centrebacks Ashalata Devi, Sweety Devi and Ritu Rani, central midfielders Sangita Basfore, Shilky Devi and Indumathi Kathiresan, who had their work minimize out inside their very own penalty space.
India had a number of uncommon forays into the Japan attacking third within the opening exchanges, as Indumathi despatched an extended ranger which was blocked by Hana Takahashi. The ensuing nook was handled by the Japan defence, after which continued an onslaught that lasted the size of the sport. Yoshino Nakashima was the primary Japanese participant to get her identify on the scoresheet, getting into the Indian penalty space from the left, to chip it into the highest nook within the seventeenth minute.
The Indian defence performed with decision, limiting Japan’s assaults to wider areas, the place fullbacks Dalima Chhibber and Sanju got ample help by their corresponding centre-backs. An array of saves by goalkeeper Shreya Hooda and a courageous goalline clearance by Ritu Rani spelt hope for the Indians, who went into their dressing room only a purpose down in opposition to the facet positioned eighth on the FIFA Women’s Rankings, as per a All India Football Federation (AIFF) press launch.
That tactic fully modified within the second half, nonetheless, when Japan started to make use of the wings to focus their passes into the centre, and that labored wonders for the Nadeshiko. They used low crosses from the flanks to the highest of the penalty field and scored 4 objectives within the 11 minutes following the restart. Yoshino Nakashima scored her second of the match, earlier than substitute Honoka Hayashi added a 3rd. Mina Tanaka joined in on the act, scoring a header, and organising Miyabi Moriya, to make the rating 5-0 in Japan’s favour by the 56th minute.
Kiko Seike and Hikaru Naomoto rounded issues off with two extra objectives, to make it seven in Japan’s favour.
India did have a last-ditch effort in harm time, as they regarded to salvage some delight. Ritu Rani hooved an extended one into the Japan field, the place substitute Soumya Guguloth collided with Japan goalkeeper Chika Hirao; Anju Tamang picked up the ball within the melee, however her shot went over the crossbar.
India: Shreya Hooda (GK); Dalima Chhibber (Manisa Panna 64′), Ritu Rani, Ngangbam Sweety Devi, Loitongbam Ashalata Devi, Sanju (Sorokhaibam Ranjana Chanu 85′); Hemam Shilky Devi (Naorem Priyangka Devi 59′), Sangita Basfore, Indumathi Kathiresan (Dangmei Grace 59′); Anju Tamang, Ngangom Bala Devi (Soumya Guguloth 46′). (ANI)