Bonifilia features as Young Tigresses rout Iraq in record-breaking goal spree

Shillong, Oct 6: India began their AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers campaign on a rousing note, demolishing Iraq 14-0 in a record-breaking effort in Selayang, Malaysia, on Monday.

Anushka Kumari (9’, 12’, 39’, 47′, 71’), Thandamoni Baskey (14′), Silky Devi Sorokhaibam (21′, 30′) and Nira Chanu Longjam (42′) were India’s scorers in the first half of the Group E contest, while Anushka added two more in the second and was adjudged as the Player of the Match. Skipper and centre-back Abhista Basnett (70′, 86′) headed home two goals, while Pritika Barman (50′), Joya Kabul Hasan (79′) and Alva Devi Senjam (90’+3) completed the record tally. The India U-17 team’s biggest wins before this were the 12-0 verdicts over UAE (2014) and Sri Lanka (2018).

Meghalaya’s Bonifilia Shullai was used in the match, coming on as a substitute at the start of the second half.

Producing a brilliant display of ceaseless running, close marking and effective one-touch play, the Young Tigresses dominated the proceedings to such an extent that Iraq had little or no clue as to what struck them before lightning and thunder did strike the area 64 minutes into the second half, resulting in a stoppage of half an hour.

Joakim Alexandersson’s midfield made all the difference as they played a very neat and compact game. Their marking and distribution were exemplary and never allowed Iraq much possession, let alone liberties for most part of the game.

Redima Devi Chingkhamayum, Thandamoni Baskey, Silky Devi Sorokhaibam and Alva Devi Senjam did well to utilise the width of the ground to stretch Iraq wide and then push home some wonderful through passes for their forwards to run into and fire or place home from inside the penalty box. Redima, in particular, was at her brilliant best. The attackers Anushka and Nira also responded well to utilise the openings and slot home without blemish. The defence had little work to do in the process.

The floodgates opened as the Indians stepped up the attack and made the most of a square-playing Iraqi defence to punch home goal after goal. Anushka hit home twice and then added another after Silky found the net twice for her first international goals, while Thandamoni and Nira scored once each as India went into the break leading 7-0.

Anushka Kumari struck her fourth and the team’s eighth goals as she swiped home a fine cross from the right by Alva just two minutes after the restart. Substitute Pritika Barman made it 9-0 as she hit home a rebound from substitute goalkeeper Asmaa Shivan Ahmed.

The Indians continued to dominate, but the Iraq custodian pulled off a couple of smart saves to deny them more goals. After 64 minutes of play, the players were called in due to inclement weather.

The match resumed after half an hour. While the Indians adapted well to the wet conditions, the Iraqis struggled with it.