Pink Ladies Cup: India go down to a higher ranked Russia

The Indian senior women's football team suffered a 0-2 defeat at the hands of Russia in their second match of the Pink Ladies Cup at the Al Hamriya Sports Club Stadium on Sunday.

The Europeans, ranked 27th (42 places above India), struck once in each half – Glafira Zhukova in the 25th minute and Valentina Smirnova in the 92nd.

India had beaten Jordan 2-0 in their opening match of the friendly competition on Thursday. The Blue Tigresses will face Korea Republic in the third and final fixture on Wednesday.

India were pushed to the back foot right from the start by the physically stronger Russians. The first three minutes saw Russia hitting the crossbar and getting denied on the goal line.

The woodwork came to India's rescue again in the 12th minute. The Blue Tigresses were living dangerously as the match was being played largely in and around the 18-yard-box.

Kseniia Dolgova, especially, was lively on the left wing and initiated the move for the opening goal in the 25th minute. As India failed to clear her cross from the left and the ball wobbled around the six-yard-box, Glafira Zhukova put it in the net with consummate ease to give Russia the lead.

Yury Krasnozhan's side had more opportunities to extend their lead in the first half but were denied by some excellent defending from India, a couple of saves by goalkeeper Shreya Hooda, and the offside flag that negated a goal.

Captain Nadezhda Smirnova also saw a header fly over the crossbar.

But India weren't under the cosh completely. Manisha, who scored the second goal in the win against Jordan three days ago, got the Blue Tigresses' first shot on target in the 31st minute.

The winger struck a high shot with real power that was pushed over the bar by an alert Kira Petukhova between the sticks.

Crispin Chettri's side were more organised at the back in the second half, closing down spaces and marking well.

Having largely been neutralised by the Indian defence, the Russians were frustrated and ran out of ideas in attack after the break. The Blue Tigresses occasionally forayed forward, taking the wide route to progress the ball into the final third but Russia were too good to allow any real threat on their goal.

In the 74th minute, Manisha tried her luck from 30 yards out as her left-footed strike flew inches over the bar. Chettri also made a couple of attacking changes to try for an equaliser, bringing on Lynda Kom Serto and Grace Dangmei in the final 10 minutes.

Ultimately, Russia sealed the victory with a second goal in the last play of the match. Lanky centre-back Valentina Smirnova headed in a corner to win it 2-0 in the 92nd minute.