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India women lost 1-0 and 2-1 to Uzbekistan and Belarus, respectively.
India put up a brave performance against Uzbekistan
The hosts looked lively and better on the ball from the word go. Uzbekistan started strong in near-freezing conditions, which already acted as a deterrent to Maymol Rocky’s side.
The Uzbeks had an early chance at goal, but Aditi Chauhan lived up to the task to deny the home side. The home side predictably had the majority possession of the ball, forcing the Blue Tigresses to rely on counter-attacking moves to score goals. India’s first real chance came in the 18th minute as Sangita Basfore, and Ranjana Chanu combined to have a clear sight at goal. Still, the Uzbek women timely intercepted the final pass to Basfore from Chanu inside the box.
Despite Uzbekistan starting strong and having most of the ball, the Indian defence kept the home side at bay. Sweety Devi led India at the back, and man-to-man marking allowed India to keep the Uzbeks well outside the 30-yard box on most occasions.
Manisha went solo and created an opening for herself in the 24th minute, but the midfielder could rattle the woodwork. Soumya Guguloth also came close to scoring but her curled attempt from the left side of the field went wide off the goalpost.
Uzbekistan also hit the crossbar minutes before the first half, as Nilufar Kudratova took a shot at the goal from a distance.
India came back stronger in the second half after evenly matched proceedings of the first half.
Daya Devi, replacing Pyari Xaxa in the middle, applied intense pressure on the Uzbek defence and allowed Soumya Guguloth to earn the ball in the Uzbek half. Guguloth’s final pass to a stranded Dangmei Grace was dismal and the Uzbeks got the ball back.
Uzbekistan came knocking on the goal as Maftuna Shoyimova’s header corner was cleared of the goal-line by Anju Tamang.
After a competitive second-half, Uzbekistan utilised India’s lack of conviction and match practice and scored a free-kick from a set-piece situation with just three minutes remaining on the clock. It was Maftuna Shoyimova, yet again with the dead ball situation.
The solitary goal between the two sides was the only difference as India lost 0-1 to Uzbekistan.
India fail to settle down against Belarus
India faced a European nation in Belarus in the second international friendly. The Blue Tigresses were confident going into the fixture after a positive performance against Uzbekistan but succumbed to another defeat with a 2-1 scoreline.
Unlike Uzbekistan, India was on the ball for a lot of time. However, despite having the possession, Maymol Rocky’s side never managed to create a clear opening in the entire game.
Belarus scored twice to go 2-0 ahead before Sangita Basfore scored a stunner from 30-yards out to reduce the deficit before the full-time whistle.
