FIFA Friendly: India concede 2 goals in added time to succumb to draw vs Nepal - Highlights
The Indian women's football team took a 2-0 lead in the second half but conceded two goals in three minutes to sink to a 2-2 draw.
India women's football team
India's women's football team succumbed to a 2-2 draw against Nepal in a FIFA friendly match in Chennai on Wednesday despite taking a 2-0 lead in the second half.
Though it was Bala Devi who was the most sparkling player on the pitch, the goals came via captain Indumathi Kathiseran and substitute Soumya Guguloth as India went 2-0 up. Sabitra Bhandari brought back Nepal from the dead to score a brace in added time as the hosts lost their comfortable lead.
Highlights:
What a disappointing result for India after looking to be in a winning position for so long. Sabitra's brace at the death pulls off a draw for Nepal. Soumya Gulugoth and Indumathi Kathiseran the two goalscorers for the home team.
Would you believe it! India take their foot off the gas and Nepal score again. 2 goals within 3 minutes. Sabitra Bhandari, who has been threatening all day, slots it past the keeper.
It's 2-2 with less than 3 minutes left. And it's Sabitra who has turned in a crucifix through India's hearts.
Just as it looked like India would go home with a clean sheet, there's a handball call against Sweety Devi in the box. In the last minute of regulation time, Nepal finally have a goal from the penalty spot.
IND 2-1 NEP
If the first half was a scrappy affair, it's been all India in the second half. Bala Devi goes off with 15 minutes left, what an impact she had today!
And a second goal now! Nepal's defence has opened up. Karthika finds Indumathi in the box with a lobbed ball, the captain dribbles forward and taps it in past the keeper.
IND 2-0 NEP
Manisha Kalyan, Soumya Guguloth, Sangita Basfore come on for Dangmei, Anju and Sandhiya. Manisha Kalyan has an instant impact! Tries once, successful on the second attempt. Manisha crosses from the left, another super sub scores! Soumya scores! India go 1-0 up!
Lots of chances in that first half, with both teams competing with each other on wastefulness in the penalty box. Aditi Chauhan's injury, Dalima Chibber's hard work, Anju Tamang's energy and Bala Devi's mercurial playmaking skills the highlights of the 1st half.
Nepal have been very wasteful in the first half. Summed up by one of the easiest chances fluffed. The Nepal forward finds herself one on one against the keeper but somehow manages to hit a weak shot straight at Chanu.
Dalima almost gets Sandhiya free with a long ball as the first half winds down.
Bala Devi escapes her markers again but the last defender comes around just before she is able to get a shot away! Still not clinical enough in the final third, but Bala Devi is proving to be a huge difference between the two teams.
Bala Devi gets a sight on goal! But her shot takes a deflection and is an easy save for the Nepal keeper.
Nepal keep finding gaps in the Indian defence.