The India U-16 women’s football team began its AFC qualifiers in style, breezing six past Hong Kong in their opening match in Ulan Bator, Mongolia on Saturday.
India defeated Hong Kong 6-1 with a hat-trick from Lynda Kom, while skipper Shilky Devi netted a brace. Sunita Munda scored the other goal.
Coming off straight from their SAFF U-15 championship win in Bhutan, the Indian U-16s were relentless in their attacks and needed just 22 minutes to break the deadlock when Sunita scored. Captain Shilky then doubled the lead 35 minutes later, before Lynda netted the first of three goals as India went into the break 3-0 ahead.
They were then awarded a penalty in the 50th minute from which Shilky scored again to make it 4-0.
Then in the 73rd minute, Lynda made full use of Aveka Singh’s cross to increase the tally to a handful of goals.
With four minutes of play left Hong Kong earned a consolation goal but were further humiliated as Lynda completed her hat-trick in the dying minutes of play.
“The girls executed the game plan perfectly. The win acts as a bonus for our morale that has been high since the girls won the SAFF U-15 Championship,” head coach Firmin D’Souza was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India.
“We are confident ahead of our clash against Pakistan and hope to continue our winning ways,” he added ecstatic after the victory.
Meanwhile, India next plays Pakistan U-16 on September 19, before facing the hosts Mongolia U-16 and Laos U-16 in their two final group league matches respectively.
All the teams in the competition are paying for a place at the AFC Cup and the group toppers will gain an automatic qualification into the final phase of the AFC Championship to be held next year.
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