Hosts India marched into the final of the ongoing U-17 Women’s Football Tournament after they edged past Thailand 1-0 in their second match at the Mumbai Football Arena in Mumbai, on Tuesday. Thounaojam Kritina powered India past Thailand to book an ultimate clash with Sweden with an injury-time goal.
The India U17- Women’s team started the match on a positive note as they dominated the midfield through Astam Oraon and Thokchom Martina. Indian forwards Lynda Kom, Sunita Munda and Sumati Kumari did not let the Thailand defense settle down as they kept putting pressure on them making darting runs into the spaces.
Sumathi was the pick of Indian attack as she kept the pressure on the visitors from the left flank by delivering dangerous crosses or cutbacks. However, even after building so much pressure, the Indian eves could not capitalize on the chance created by Sumathi.
Slowly the visitors started to crawl back into the game and began dominating the possession. However, the Indian defense led by captain Shilky Devi was very alert and kept the visitors at bay. Shilky received good support from Jyoti Kumari, who was on top of her game, as both thwarted the dangerous chances by the away side.
Both the teams failed to break the deadlock and went into the half time with the score levelled at 0-0.
Both the teams came out with more venom in the second half and Thailand came close to drawing the first blood when Janista Jinantuya was released through on goal. However, Indian goalkeeper who was very alert fended off the danger by palming away the shot from a very close range.
Soon it was India who had their chance to take the lead as Sumathi tried to put the ball past the Thai Keeper who was coming off her line. However, to her dismay the shot thudded against the crossbar.
There was no separating the two teams as the match was nearing the closing minutes of the game. Running out of time the India head coach Thomas Dennerby made few attacking changes by bringing in Daisy Crasto and Sai Sankhe. The move almost paid dividends as Daisy found the back of the net but she was flagged offside.
With just 10 minutes left in the game, Thailand made a dangerous counter-attack and had a golden opportunity to win the game. However, their forwards Janista Jinantuya and skipper Pluemjai Sontisawat, failed to convert a cross from the left.
It was the substitute Kritina Devi who stole the show in the end, as her long-ranger was fumbled on the line by Thailand keeper Pawarisa Homyamyen, as India got the lead in added time.
