India’s U17 women’s football team continued their dominant run at the SAFF Championship with a convincing 5-0 victory over Bhutan at the Changlimithang Stadium on Wednesday. The result marked India’s fourth straight win in the tournament.
Kumari leads from the front
Star striker Anushka Kumari once again proved to be the difference-maker, scoring a brace and assisting another. With this performance, she has now taken her tally to seven goals in the competition, establishing herself as the tournament’s most prolific scorer.
The goals came thick and fast in the first half. Kumari opened the scoring in the fourth minute before doubling her side’s lead with a thunderous free-kick in the 16th. Shveta Rani capitalised on a goalkeeping lapse to make it 3-0 by the 24th minute, giving the Young Tigresses a comfortable cushion at half-time.
Clinical finishing seals the game
India stayed in control after the break, dictating tempo and possession. Captain Julan Nongmaithem added a fourth with a precise finish in the 77th minute, before Mira Chanu Longjam rounded off the scoring in stoppage time after neat link-up play with Kumari.
Despite occasional resistance from Bhutan, their backline once again struggled against India’s pressing and quick transitions. The visitors ended the match with complete dominance, creating chances at will and rarely allowing Bhutan to threaten.
Perfect record for the Young Tigresses
With this win, India have now scored 22 goals in four matches without conceding once, cementing their place at the top of the table with 12 points. Bangladesh sit second with nine points, while Nepal and Bhutan trail behind.
The Young Tigresses will go into their final fixtures brimming with confidence, knowing that one more positive result could all but secure the SAFF U17 Women’s Championship crown.
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