The India U20 women's football team concluded their Pink Ladies U20 Youth Cup campaign with a 0-3 defeat against Russia at the Emirhan Sport Centre on Tuesday.
Despite showing resilience, the Young Tigresses were unable to break through Russia’s defence and ended the tournament on a disappointing note.
Russia dominated the match early, scoring twice within the first 17 minutes.
They extended their lead shortly after the restart, leaving India struggling to respond. However, the Indian team managed to create some goal-scoring chances but failed to convert them into goals.
India had earlier registered victories against Jordan and Hong Kong, defeating them 2-1 and 1-0, respectively.
These international friendlies served as crucial preparation for the upcoming SAFF U20 Women's Championship and the AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers, which are set to take place in July and August.
The match started with both teams attacking from the outset. India showed intent, with Lhingdeikim’s long-range shot just missing the target. At the other end, Moirangthem Monalisha Devi was called into action early, making an important save in a one-on-one situation against Russia’s Arina Shuba.
As the game progressed, Russia took control and forced India into a defensive position. Their first breakthrough came in the 15th minute when Mariia Nachaeva headed in a free-kick from Tatiana Danilochkina.
Just two minutes later, Polina Pavlova doubled Russia’s lead with a powerful half-volley from outside the box.
India tried to regroup in the second half, but Russia struck again within minutes of the restart. Natalia Perminova latched onto a cutback and calmly placed the ball into the net, sealing the victory for her team.
The Young Tigresses continued to push forward in search of a consolation goal, creating a few promising opportunities. However, their efforts fell short as Russia maintained a strong defensive shape and ensured a clean sheet.
Despite the loss, these matches have provided valuable experience for the Indian team. The exposure to high-intensity international football will help them refine their strategy and improve their performances ahead of key tournaments in the coming months.
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