India 5 (Grace 6’, 22’, Sanju 45’, Sumithra 82’, Ratanbala 83’)

Beat

Hong Kong 2 (Cheung Wai Ki 17’, Chung Pui Ki 70’)

The Indian women’s team got their tour of Hong Kong off to a great start with a 5-2 win over the hosts .

Dangmei Grace was the star of the show for India as she netted twice to give the away side the early lead while Sanju, Sumithra and Ratanbala chipped in with one goal each to make it a memorable win for India.

The Indian eves started off on the front foot, when Indumathi played Grace through on goal before the latter slotted it into the net to earn the early lead. While Cheung Wai Ki equalised for Hong Kong on the 17th minute, it took Grace just five minutes to restore India’s advantage after she combined well with Anju Tamang.

On the stroke of half time, India defender Dalima Chhibber sent in a cross that was masterfully nodded past the goalline by Sanju, to make the score 3-1 in India’s favour.

Hong Kong came out all guns blazing in the second half and eventually managed to reduce the deficit in the 70th minute as Chung Pui Ki scored from a corner.

However, India still had the lead and managed to double it once again on the 82nd minute when Sumithra latched on to a pass from second-half substitute Pyari Xaxa, to make it 4-2. The icing on the cake was finally provided by Ratanbala, who combined with Sanju to score the fifth Indian goal.

The Indian eves are set to play their next game against the same opponents on Wednesday, January 23 with kick-off slated for 6 PM IST.

India Starting XI: Aditi Chauhan (c); Sweety Devi, Ashalata Devi, Dalima Chhibber, Jabamani Tudu; Sangita Basfore, Sanju Yadav, Indumathi Kathiresan; Ratanbala Devi, Dangmei Grace, Anju Tamang.

Courtesy : AIFF Media Team