The Indian women’s soccer team lost in Tunisia by a single goal in a friendly match at the UAE FA Stadium in Dubai on Monday evening, October 4th, 2021.
The Indian women had their first chance in the second minute but despite Manisha attempting to cross Dalima Chibber, conceding goalkeeper Mariem managed to keep him in check.
Six minutes later, Tunisia took the lead with a Heuij free kick.
Pique, India, has launched a spate of attacks to restore equality. In the 11th minute Manisha ran over the left flank and sent a cross, but the opposing defense managed to clear him. Shortly afterwards, another cross was collected from Sanju by Mariem.
About ten minutes later, Indumathi tried to catch him from outside the box but missed.
The Indians preferred to play among themselves and in the 31st minute Manisha’s free kick missed the target. In the 40th minute another free kick – this time from Dalima sailed far.
In the 42nd minute, Indumathi, one of the leaders in midfield, found some space in front of her and scored a goal. But she couldn’t find the target because Tunisia was able to hold the lead until half-time.
As a replacement, head coach Thomas Dennerby called on goalkeeper Shreya Hooda to replace Aditi Chauhan at the top. Immediately thereafter, India got a corner, but although Soumya played against Dalima, the latter failed.
Dennerby made a double substitution in the 53rd minute, with Ritu Rani and Pyari Xaxa replacing Ashalata Devi and Renu, respectively, as Indumathi took over the armband. Pyari had struck a punch in a corner almost immediately after Soumya found her. But Pyari’s head missed.
Pyari managed to get him to the next corner, which India won, but the referee refused and blew for a foul on India.
Dennerby made another double substitution in the 61st minute – Martina and Sumati replaced Sanju and Manisha.
Tunisia, who had held him so far, launched a counterattack in the 63rd minute that could have helped them double their lead if Shreya hadn’t stopped a reflex.
Dennerby changed again in the 68th minute – this time Indumathi Sandhiya gave way in midfield. Six minutes later, Sandhiya moved into an open room and managed to snap a photo, but Mariem saw him. And as if that wasn’t enough, Mariem also fended off Pyari in the 75th minute after the nervous striker was able to squeeze between the opposing defense.
The Indian women’s team had previously beaten the UAE 4-1 in the last friendly in Dubai, with Manisha Kalyan, Pyari Xaxa, Sweety Devi and Anju Tamang each scoring one goal.
The contingent is now traveling to Bahrain, where it will face Bahrain and Chinese Taipei. The games are part of India’s preparation for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 and the first exhibition tour led by head coach Thomas Dennerby, who trained the team in Jamshedpur for a month with the support of the Jharkhand government.
IN: Aditi Chauhan (Shreya Hooda – 46e); Astam Oraon, Ashalata Devi (Ritu Rani – 53e), Sweety Devi, Dalima Chibber; Indumathi (Sandhiya – 68e), Sangita Basfore, Sanju (Martina – 61e), Manisha (Sumati – 61e), Soumya, Renu (Pyari Xaxa – 53e).
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