SAFF U-18 Championship: 7-Star India Thrash Nepal in Camping Opener

The India Under-18 girls made a stellar start to their SAFF Under-18 Championship campaign as they beat Nepal 7-0 at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, in Jamshedpur. India will next face Bangladesh on March 19. ,

Priyanka Sujesh scored the first goal of the night in the 15th minute while Linda Kom scored two more goals in the 17th and 35th minutes respectively. In the second half, India scored one goal after another – Aparna scored in the 69th minute, followed by Purnima in the 77th minute. Sunita Munda scored 6-0 in the 87th minute while Neetu Linda completed the score in extra time.

India dominated the first half and India took the lead in the 15th minute when Priyanka Sujesh overtook the goalkeeper to drive him home.

Two minutes later, Linda Kom scored the second goal with a brilliant pass from Anita Kumari from the left.

Linda Kom scored her second goal in the 35th minute – this time on another brilliant cross from outside the box by defender Ritu Devi.

Linda almost completed her hat-trick in the 42nd minute, but it missed the target as India headed towards half-time enjoying a three-goal cushion.

Changing, the story remained the same with the proceedings dominating. Head coach Thomas Dennerby made his first change in the 46th minute when Martina and Linda were replaced by Aparna and Shubhang respectively.

Aparna scored the fourth goal by swinging it with her left foot.

Substitutions followed – Priyanka Sujesh and Naketa were replaced by Neetu Linda and Poonam. The fifth goal came in the 77th minute – Purnima Kumari scored from her eighth free kick.

Sunita Munda scored 6-0 in the 87th minute, while Neetu Linda scored the last goal of the day in 90+6 when she tapped Anita Kumari’s cross.

India: Melody Keisham (GK), Ritu Devi, Naketa (Poonam 80′), Shilky Devi, Astam Oraon, Martina Thokchom (Apurna 46′), Amisha Baxla, Lynda Kom (Shubhang 46′), Priyanka Sujeesh (Nitu Linda 75′), Anita Kumari, Purnima Kumari.

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