Latest news with #FIFAInternationalFriendlies
United News of India
4 days ago
- Sport
- United News of India
India women's football team suffer narrow defeat against Uzbekistan
Bengaluru, May 31 (UNI) India suffered a 0-1 defeat at the hands of Uzbekistan at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence, in the first of two FIFA International Friendlies here. After a goalless first half, Diyorakhon Khabibullaeva (56') scored the only goal of the match to hand Uzbekistan the win on Friday night. Keeping true to his words, India head coach Crispin Chettri introduced some fresh blood into the team, handing out three debuts against a strong Uzbekistan side. Attackers Manisha Naik and Malavika debuted from the starting XI, while midfielder Priyadharshini came off the bench in the second half for her first cap. An even start to the match saw India earn a few corners, while goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu did well to keep the Uzbekistan attackers at bay in the opening exchanges. Panthoi, who marched in as the Blue Tigresses' captain on Friday, did especially well to collect the ball from Nilufar Kudratova in the eighth minute, after the Uzbekistan forward was played through behind the India defence. As the game wore on, India began to gain more composure, building their own attacks in the Uzbek third. Soumya Guguloth, on the counter, threaded a pass through to Dangmei Grace, who had raced past the Uzbekistan back line, and only had the goalkeeper to beat. However, Maftuna Jonimqulova rushed out of her line and snatched the ball from the India forward's feet. A little after the half-hour mark, Diyorakhon ran on to an aerial through ball, and had just Panthoi to beat. However, India centre-back Shilky Devi showed good presence of mind to contain the Uzbekistan forward with her physical presence, allowing Panthoi time to snatch the ball. With the score level, India coach Chettri brought striker Pyari Xaxa into the game instead of Manisha Naik, thus pushing Grace into midfield. The move seemed to have been working in the initial stages of the second half, as India began to enjoy long bouts of possession in the Uzbekistan half. However, it also left them more susceptible to a counter-attack, which resulted in the deciding goal. Maftuna Shoyimova, who was freed down the left flank, sent in a pinpoint cross into the India box, as Diyorakhon tapped it in from close range in the 56th minute, to give her side the lead. Diyorakhon had a chance to double the lead on the hour mark when she tried to volley another cross, this time from the left, but the forward could not connect with the ball, as Panthoi plucked it out of the air. India went searching for the equaliser with Pyari being the focal point. Phanjoubam Nirmala Devi sent in a looping cross from the right, which was headed goalwards by Pyari. However, the header lacked power and rolled wide with around 20 minutes to go. Sumati Kumari, advancing down the right wing, sent a low cross to Pyari in the closing stages. The Indian striker trapped the ball and pulled the trigger from the edge of the box. However, Jonimqulova did well to produce a diving save to keep India out. The two sides will meet in the second FIFA International Friendly at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence on June 3. The match will be streamed live on the Indian Football YouTube Channel. India: Elangbam Panthoi Chanu (GK, C), Nirmala Devi Phanjoubam (Kiran Pisda 88'), Shilky Devi Hemam, Purnima Kumari (Ngangbam Sweety Devi 88'), Sangita Basfore (Lisham Babina Devi 88'), Soumya Guguloth, Sanju, Ratanbala Devi Nongmaithem, Grace Dangmei (Priyadharshini 74'), Manisha Naik (Pyari Xaxa 46'), Malavika P (Sumati Kumari 74'). UNI BM
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
India lose 0-1 to Uzbekistan in women's football friendly
Diyorakhon Khabibullaeva struck the solitary goal as the Indian women's football team went down 0-1 to Uzbekistan in the first of two FIFA International Friendlies, in Bengaluru on Friday (May 30, 2025). After a goalless first half, Khabibullaeva broke the deadlock in the 56th minute to secure the win for the hosts. The two teams will face off again in the second friendly on June 3. India earned a few corners early on, while goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu did well to keep the Uzbekistan attackers at bay in the opening exchanges. Panthoi, who marched in as the captain on Friday (May 30, 2025), did especially well to collect the ball from Nilufar Kudratova in the eighth minute, after the Uzbekistan forward was played through behind the India defence. As the game wore on, India began to gain more composure, building their own attacks in the Uzbek third. Soumya Guguloth, on the counter, threaded a pass through to Dangmei Grace, who had raced past the Uzbekistan back line and only had the goalkeeper to beat. However, Maftuna Jonimqulova rushed out of her line and snatched the ball from the India forward's feet. A little after the half-hour mark, Diyorakhon ran on to an aerial through ball and had just Panthoi to beat. However, India centre-back Shilky Devi showed good presence of mind to contain the Uzbekistan forward with her physical presence, allowing Panthoi some time to snatch the ball. India coach Chettri brought striker Pyari Xaxa into the game instead of Manisha Naik, thus pushing Grace into midfield. The move seemed to have been working in the initial stages of the second half, as India began to enjoy long bouts of possession in the Uzbekistan half. However, it also left them more susceptible to a counter-attack, which resulted in the deciding goal. Maftuna Shoyimova, who was freed down the left flank, sent in a pinpoint cross into the India box. Diyorakhon tapped it in from close range in the 56th minute to give her side the lead. Diyorakhon had a chance to double the lead on the hour mark when she tried to volley another cross, this time from the left, but the forward could not connect with the ball as Panthoi plucked it out of the air. India went searching for the equaliser with Pyari being the focal point. Phanjoubam Nirmala Devi sent in a looping cross from the right, which was headed goalwards by Pyari. However, the header lacked power and rolled wide with around 20 minutes to go. Sumati Kumari, advancing down the right wing, sent a low cross to Pyari in the closing stages. The Indian striker trapped the ball and pulled the trigger from the edge of the box. However, Jonimqulova did well to produce a diving save to keep India out.
Hans India
4 days ago
- Sport
- Hans India
Uzbekistan edge past gritty India with 1-0 victory in friendly
Bengaluru: India suffered a 0-1 defeat at the hands of Uzbekistan at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence, in the first of two FIFA International Friendlies, on Friday, May 30. After a goalless first half, Diyorakhon Khabibullaeva (56') scored the only goal of the match to hand Uzbekistan the win. Keeping true to his words, India head coach Crispin Chettri introduced some fresh blood into the team, handing out three debuts against a strong Uzbekistan side. Attackers Manisha Naik and Malavika debuted from the starting XI, while midfielder Priyadharshini came off the bench in the second half for her first cap. An even start to the match saw India earn a few corners, while goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu did well to keep the Uzbekistan attackers at bay in the opening exchanges. Panthoi, who marched in as the Blue Tigresses' captain on Friday, did especially well to collect the ball from Nilufar Kudratova in the eighth minute, after the Uzbekistan forward was played through behind the India defence. As the game wore on, India began to gain more composure, building their own attacks in the Uzbek third. Soumya Guguloth, on the counter, threaded a pass through to Dangmei Grace, who had raced past the Uzbekistan back line, and only had the goalkeeper to beat. However, Maftuna Jonimqulova rushed out of her line and snatched the ball from the India forward's feet. A little after the half-hour mark, Diyorakhon ran on to an aerial through ball, and had just Panthoi to beat. However, India centre-back Shilky Devi showed good presence of mind to contain the Uzbekistan forward with her physical presence, allowing Panthoi time to snatch the ball. With the score level, India coach Chettri brought striker Pyari Xaxa into the game instead of Manisha Naik, thus pushing Grace into midfield. The move seemed to have been working in the initial stages of the second half, as India began to enjoy long bouts of possession in the Uzbekistan half. However, it also left them more susceptible to a counter-attack, which resulted in the deciding goal. Maftuna Shoyimova, who was freed down the left flank, sent in a pinpoint cross into the India box, as Diyorakhon tapped it in from close range in the 56th minute, to give her side the lead. Diyorakhon had a chance to double the lead on the hour mark when she tried to volley another cross, this time from the left, but the forward could not connect with the ball, as Panthoi plucked it out of the air. India went searching for the equaliser with Pyari being the focal point. Phanjoubam Nirmala Devi sent in a looping cross from the right, which was headed goalwards by Pyari. However, the header lacked power and rolled wide with around 20 minutes to go. Sumati Kumari, advancing down the right wing, sent a low cross to Pyari in the closing stages. The Indian striker trapped the ball and pulled the trigger from the edge of the box. However, Jonimqulova did well to produce a diving save to keep India out. The two sides will meet in the second FIFA International Friendly at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence on June 3.
India Gazette
5 days ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
Blue Tigresses begin tuning for Asia with Uzbekistan friendlies
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], May 29 (ANI): India and Uzbekistan are no strangers when it comes to women's football. The two sides are preparing to face each other for the 14th time, as they play a FIFA International Friendly on Friday, May 30. The senior Indian women's national team face Uzbekistan in the first of two FIFA International Friendlies on Friday at 4.30 pm, at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence. India head coach Crispin Chettri said at the pre-match press conference, as quoted by the AIFF official website, 'We are moving in the right direction. The team have had almost 25 days of preparation, everything's going as per the expectations.' Since Chettri took over as the head coach of the Blue Tigresses in February, the senior India women's national team have seen a transition to a much younger squad, something that the coach has emphasised. 'We are in a transition phase at the moment, and as a coach, I am willing to struggle and sacrifice for it. It's a mixed bunch that we have. While there are many youngsters, we also have some very good seniors like Panthoi (Chanu Elangbam), Grace (Dangmei), Sweety (Devi Ngangbam), Anju (Tamang), and Ratan (Nongmaithem Ratanbala Devi),' said Chettri. 'We are without the likes of Ashalata (Devi Loitongbam), Dalima (Chhibber), Aditi (Chauhan), and Indu (Indumathi Kathiresan). What's important for us right now, is to prepare for the next generation. We must develop the younger generation of players for 2031. I think with the mix of experienced players around them, we are heading in the right direction. The important thing is we have senior players in all the key positions like goalkeeper, centre-back, midfield, and forward,' he continued. With the Blue Tigresses set to play the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 qualifiers from June 23 to July 5, in Group B against Mongolia (June 23), Timor-Leste (June 29), Iraq (July 2), and hosts Thailand (July 5), the time for match-preparation is now. However, Chettri is willing to sacrifice results for development. 'The Uzbekistan matches are ones where we want to explore and give opportunities to youngsters. We simply want to play proper football and keep possession whenever we can. Instead of the results, we are looking more at how the players fulfill their roles and responsibilities, and there's no match better to do that than against a quality team like Uzbekistan,' he said. Blue Tigresses defender Hemam Shilky Devi stressed the importance of the month-long camp in Bengaluru, as the team prepares with Asian qualification as the primary target. 'We played quite often against them, and they are a very good team. We've got a lot of respect for them. But our team is also improving, and with the preparation that we've had, I can only hope that we will do better than last year,' said Shilky. Uzbekistan senior women's national team head coach Kotryna Kulbyte lauded the strides India have made in women's football. 'India are a very good opponent, and that is why we agreed to play them in these two friendly matches. They've been camping for a month now, so we are expecting a tough couple of matches. We know how fast women's football is growing in India with increasing help from the government. I just hope both teams enjoy the game tomorrow,' said Kulbyte. Uzbekistan captain Diyorakhon Khabibullaeva said, 'We could see when we played India a couple of times last year that they are a good team. We're expecting a tough game.' (ANI)
