New Delhi, Jun 25 (IANS): The India U-17 women's team suffered a 1-3 loss to Chile U-17 in a friendly game at the Aquileia, Italy.
The match started on Friday night at a relatively slow pace compared to the previous game against Italy. The first real chance came in the 10th minute when Naketa took a free-kick from long range but her shot missed the target. India were struck with a blow right after that as Chile scored in the 11th minute via Katerine Ramos.
India tried to bounce back from the setback, and on the 15th minute mark, Shubhangi crossed the ball and Lynda was able to take a shot but it was saved by the Chilean goalkeeper. Chile though secured a two-goal lead in the 19th minute, when Danlela whipped in a cross and Maitte put the ball into the back of the net with a header.
India did not give up though and kept attacking. In the 21st minute, Lynda attempted a shot from Astam's cross but the former missed the target by a whisker. The pace of the game slowed down a bit after Chile's second goal.
In the 26th minute, Chile's Yennifer Pasten got injured and had to be substituted as Ambar Rolino came in for her. Chile got a corner in the 34th minute which was easily cleared by the Indian defence. India went into the break with a mountain to climb in the second half.
India started the second half on the front foot as Anita made a run down the right and took a shot but it was collected by the goalkeeper. Chile also kept attacking, this time through Ambar in the 43rd minute as her dangerous free-kick was cleared by the Indian defenders.
Coach Thomas Dennerby made a double substitution in the 51st minute as Kajol and Nitu Linda came on for Lynda Kom and Babina. This change had an immediate impact as India scored on the 55th minute mark. A cross from Neha landed at the feet of Kajol who tucked the ball away into the back of the net from a header.
However, India's hopes came crashing down when Ambar scored the third goal for Chile and restored their two-goal advantage in the 67th minute.
India: Monalisha Devi, Naketa, Astam Oraon (Captain), Neha (Misha 68'), Lynda Kom (Kajol 51'), Anita Kumari (Sudha 78'), Purnima Kumari, Shubhangi Singh, Pinku Devi (Shelia 68'), Babina Devi (Nitu Linda 51'), Kajal (Rejiya 78').