India held to goalless draw by Maldives

SHILLONG, FEB 5:  Defending South Asian Games (SAG) Indian Women’s national football team was held to a goalless draw by Maldives at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Shillong on Friday during the opening day of the 12^th South Asian Games at Shillong.

Indian team did launch an attacked right from the start but players playing upfront did not convert it to goal.  It appear that the Indian team did not capitalize on the   opportunities leading to a goalless draw with the Maldives.

Just 4th minute into the game, the Indian players penetrated the Maldivian defence line as Kamala Devi, whizz through putting up the ball to Premi Devi, whose weak shot was easily saved by the Maldives custodian.

Opportunity once again knocked on the Indian team when Sasmita Malik gave an on spot  pass to Bembem Devi but the latter only managed to hit the side-net.

Later it was Maldivian custodian who made a great save denying Grace of scoring from a header, from a cross of Premi Devi  who was in the right flank. Opportunities kept on coming to the Indian team but they lacked the fire in the belly to convert it into a goal.

With sustained attack from India, Maldives did try to stop the Indian onslaught but the Indians  managed to penetrate the Maldivian defence and in the 36th minute, Prameshwori Devi dribbled her way past the Maldivian defence, but only to shoot wide.

At half-time scoreline read 0-0, and the Indian team did shake the Maldives net seconds only to be waved off by the referee.  Then on the story was similar to the first half as the Indian kept the pressure up.

In the dying minutes of the match, opportunity to score again came the Indian way when a cross from Sanju found the unmarked Grace in the 18 yard box but the latter headed it wide of the goal as she could not make a clean contract with the ball.

Though the Indian team kept on pressing but Maldives made sure their opponent were denied the goal till the final whistle with the score-line reading 0-0. –By Our Reporter