After 20 years, India qualifies for U-20 AFC Ladies Asian Cup

The India U20 Women’s National Team has insured the qualification for the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup for the first time in 20 years, after beating host Myanmar with 1-0 in their last group D-confessing in the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon, Sunday.

The young Tigresses ended the top of their group with seven points, after Pooja’s 27th minute goal ensured a victory for them for a part -time crowd in the Thuwunna Stadium.

It was a game of two halves; India dominated the first, while Myanmar checked the procedure in the second. Neha and Sibani Devi Nongmeikapam combined in the third minute, when the first bustled in a cross to the last, which was only removed from ticking.

While the host absorbed all the pressure, he launched a few counterattacks, and Su Su Su Khin came forward in the ninth minute, after receiving a breast-down from Yin Loon et al.

Myanmar started to make its way to the game when the minutes progressed, but India took the lead through pooja minutes for the 30 minutes. It was Pooja himself who had started the attack on the counter before he crossed it from the right. Neha, on the opposite flank, managed to step at the end and sent it back. Pooja, who had started the goal by that time, had hardly any time to respond and stick it over the line with her torso.

However, the second half was a completely different prospect. Stretched by the home support, Myanmar came burning all weapons and India goalkeeper Monalisha Devi had to save a smart 48th minute to keep Su Su Khin out.

India had dug his trenches while the Golf absorbed after Gulf of Myanmar attacks. Monalisha, who had not admitted any goal in the previous two games, was called in action with 10 minutes left on the clock, when Myanmar replacement tired pwint phyu hit a main cross through Ei Thet Phyo in the upright. The ball continued to roll seductively on the line, before the Indian goalkeeper exaggerated and threw him away in safety.

Phyu hit the woodwork again, this time in the 90th minute, when her shot took a deflection from Shubhangi, only to fall against the upright and bounce out of the game.

Seconds later India broke on the counter when Sibani sent a cross to Sulanjana Raul, who also hit the woodwork, collapsed her header in the cross rod. Despite all the pressure from the host, India clung to his lead and took care of the qualification for the first time in two decades.