India senior women’s national team clinched a crucial victory against Hong Kong in the Turkish Women’s Cup 2024, with Anju Tamang and Soumya Guguloth securing a goal each for a 2-0 win. The team is now on track to potentially win their first international title outside of the South Asian circuit.
India, a team with previous triumphs in the SAFF Cup and SAF Games, has never claimed an international championship with European teams in competition. This win comes after their earlier victory against Estonia in the same tournament.
Anju Tamang’s goal in the 19th minute and Soumya Guguloth’s strike in the 79th minute secured India’s win. With six points from two games, India will face Kosovo in their final round-robin match, in what could be considered the ultimate showdown for the title.
Despite Kosovo also having six points, India is placed second due to goal difference. The upcoming clash between the two teams will determine the winner of the Turkish Women’s Cup 2024, held in Alanya, Turkey.
The match saw a strong start from India, with players like Indumathi Kathiresan, Anju Tamang, and Pyari Xaxa making early attempts against Hong Kong’s defense. While Hong Kong recovered and posed some challenges, India’s persistence eventually led to their victory.
India’s high press tactic proved effective in breaking through Hong Kong’s defense. Notably, a key interception by Manisha Kalyan set up Anju Tamang’s goal, propelling India to a lead early in the game.
As the match progressed, India continued to apply pressure on Hong Kong, creating a wave of opportunities in the attacking third. Despite a few missed chances, India managed to seal their victory with Soumya Guguloth’s goal in the 79th minute, securing their second win in the tournament.
Goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu played a crucial role in maintaining India’s lead, making key clearances and contributing to the team’s defensive efforts. With their eyes set on the title, India will look to carry this momentum into the final showdown against Kosovo, vying for their first international championship title beyond the South Asian region.
