Iana Sheina’s moment of brilliance gave the visitors the lead in the 40th minute, and substitute Kira Petukhova struck twice in the 60th and 65th minutes. Iana Svistunova completed the scoring in the 81st minute as Russia’s sustained pressure wore down the Blue Tigresses after the break. A new-look Indian women’s national team held their own for much of the first half before conceding a 0-4 defeat to Russia in the first of two international friendlies at a rain-soaked Kishore Bharati Krirangan on Thursday.
Indian women’s national team held their own for much of the first half before conceding a 0-4 defeat to Russia in the first of two international friendlies at a rain-soaked Kishore Bharati Krirangan on Thursday.
The 69th-ranked Blue Tigresses faced a considerable challenge against 27th-ranked Russia in what was India’s first-ever women’s international match in Kolkata. Yet, for much of the opening half, the hosts defended with discipline and created opportunities that could have changed the course of the contest. India’s best opening came around the half-hour mark when the ball dropped kindly for Malavika P for a potential close-range finish. Lynda Kom Serto also had an opportunity later in the half, but India were unable to turn their moments of promise into a goal. The breakthrough instead came through Sheina’s individual quality. In the 40th minute, she found the bottom corner with a precise finish past Monalisha. Heavy rain made the second half a tougher examination. Russia pinned India back during the opening exchanges, keeping the hosts under relentless pressure on an increasingly slippery surface. Russia doubled their lead in the 60th minute. Captain Nadezhda Smirnova tried her luck from distance, and the ball bounced awkwardly off the wet surface. Monalisha could only parry the effort, leaving Petukhova to follow up and finish from point-blank range.
Russian goalkeeper Natalia Silina reacted quickly, charging out to deal with the danger before the forward could capitalise.
