Shillong, Jul 17: Meghalaya’s Fragrancy Riwan came on in the second half as India’s U-20 women’s team defeated their counterparts from Uzbekistan 4-1 in the second international friendly between the two teams in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, yesterday evening.
Fragrancy (seated No. 21 next to goalkeeper from Meghalaya Ribansi Jamu No. 23) came on in the 83rd minute in place of Sulanjana Raul.
After holding the hosts to a 1-1 draw in the first friendly a few days ago, the Young Tigresses came back strongly, with Sibani Devi Nongmeikapam (28’, 85’) netting two, and Sulanjana (65’) and Neha (71’) scoring one each. Shakhnoza Dekanbaeva (37’) was the lone scorer for Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan made four changes to their line-up, while India U-20 coach Joakim Alexandersson made two. Juhi Singh replaced Nishima Kumari in defence, while Arina Devi Nameirakpam occupied the midfield instead of Lhingdeikim.
Unlike the first friendly, the visitors took the lead this time, as Sibani coolly finished off a Neha cross with her foot in the 28th minute. The Young Tigresses’ celebrations were only to last nine minutes, however, as Dekanbaeva equalised for the hosts before the half-time whistle.
India came out all guns blazing in the second half, and within 20 minutes of the restart, regained their lead. Sulanjana taking a couple of touches to control a long ball from Cindy Colney, before finishing off the chance.
They doubled their lead in the 71st minute, when Sulanjana turned from scorer to provider, feeding a through ball on the counter to Neha, who chipped Uzbekistan goalkeeper Ezoza Sevinova from outside the box.
The hosts seemed to have got some respite minutes later, when Cindy was sent off for a tackle. However, the Young Tigresses had just about enough time to drill one final nail into Uzbekistan, when substitute Bhumika Devi Khumukcham faked past two defenders, before setting up Sibani to finish it off at the bottom corner.
Fragrancy wasn’t utilised in the first friendly, while Ribansi was on the bench for both games, unsurprising as favoured goalkeeper Monalisha Devi Moirangthem has featured successfully for the senior women’s team. Both Fragrancy and Ribansi currently play their club football for Delhi-based Garhwal United FC. They were two of seven Meghalaya players who were instrumental in the club winning the Indian Women’s League 2nd Division (IWL 2) title earlier this year.
These friendlies were part of preparations for the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers, which will be held next month in Myanmar.
(All India Football Federation photo)
