Football

In a thrilling encounter at the Gold City Sports Complex, India's senior women's football team secured a hard-fought 4-3 victory against Estonia, marking a historic moment as it was their first triumph over a UEFA team. The match was part of the Turkish Women's Cup football tournament, where India showcased their determination and resilience.Manisha Kalyan, a key player for India, demonstrated her prowess by scoring a brace, contributing two crucial goals to the team's success. Her first goal came in the 17th minute, giving India an early lead. However, Estonia's Lisette Tammik equalized in the 32nd minute, keeping the match evenly poised.The second half witnessed India taking control of the midfield, with Soumya Guguloth, Anju Tamang, and Pyari Xaxa combining effectively to create scoring opportunities. Indumathi Kathiresan capitalized on this momentum, scoring a stunning long-range goal in the 62nd minute, putting India back in the lead. Xaxa further extended the advantage with a well-executed goal in the 79th minute.Kalyan sealed the victory for India in the 81st minute, converting a cross from Sandhiya Ranganathan. However, Estonia showed great resilience, scoring two late goals through Vlada Kubassova and Mari Liis Lillemae in the 88th and 90th minutes respectively, making the final moments of the match tense.Despite the late scare, India held on to secure a memorable victory, marking a significant milestone in their footballing journey. The team's performance showcased their growing strength and potential, as they prepare for their next challenge against Hong Kong on Saturday.

India's senior women's football team is set to kick off their campaign at the Turkish Women's Cup 2024 in Alanya, Turkey, on Wednesday, February 15. This marks the third time India has participated in this prestigious tournament, having previously competed in 2019 and 2021. The team will face Estonia, Kosovo, and Hong Kong in a round-robin format, aiming to showcase their improved skills and determination.Seasoned defender Dalima Chibber expressed her excitement about the tournament, highlighting the team's familiarity with the environment and the positive impact of the ongoing Indian Women's League (IWL) season. She emphasized the importance of gaining experience through game time and utilizing it to deliver a strong performance in Turkey.Head coach Langam Chaoba Devi acknowledged the strength of Estonia as a physically and technically proficient team. However, she remained confident in India's abilities, emphasizing the team's unique qualities that can make a difference on the field. The Indian team has not seen action since their three games in the second round of the Olympic qualifiers in November 2022.Currently ranked 65th in the FIFA Women's World Rankings, India will face Estonia, ranked 98th. In 2023, Estonia faced Kosovo and North Macedonia, resulting in a 1-2 loss and a 1-1 draw, respectively. The Estonian team is led by former internationals Anastassia Morkovkina and Sirje Kapper, and features a young squad with thirteen players born after 2000.The Turkish Women's Cup 2024 serves as a valuable opportunity for India to gauge their progress and prepare for upcoming challenges. The team will look to build on their experiences and deliver a commendable performance against their opponents.