The Indian women’s football team finished their 2018 Women’s Asian Cup qualifying campaign on a high, as they signed off with a much-needed 2-0 win over Hong Kong in Pyongyang on Tuesday.
After suffering three heavy defeats to North Korea, South Korea and Uzbekistan, the Indian eves gathered themselves and clinched a moral boosting victory over Hong Kong, the lowest ranked team in the group.
The women in blue had a golden opportunity to open the scoring as early as the fifth minute but Bala Devi failed to guide the ball home after Ratanbala Devi had crossed the ball in from the flank.
Dangmei Grace came close as well as she had a one-on-one with the keeper which she failed to convert and Bala Devi beat her defender only to scoop her shot over the bar.
As the teams went in goalless at half-time, the Indian team stepped up the pressure after half-time. On 68 minutes, Ratanbala Devi was brought down by in the box and India were awarded a spot-kick. Sasmita Malik made no mistake from the spot as India led a game for the first time in the tournament.
Two minutes later, Indumathi Kathiresan saw her shot stumble onto the path of Ratanbala who finished it with aplomb to double India’s lead.
The ladies saw the game out as they ended a trying campaign on a high note.
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