Indian women go under 0-1 to Sweden in 3-nation U23 football events
A lively display by the Indian women’s football team went in vain because a goal in overtime helped Sweden win 1-0 in the U23 training tournament at Ängelholm’s athletics stadium here.
Midfielder Linn Vickius scored the only goal in the 96th minute to help the Swedes win on Wednesday night.
India dominated the process from the start and got a lot of goal chances.
The first big chance appeared for India in the 12th minute of the match when midfielder Manisha Kalyan tried to draw the first blood after receiving a ball from his teammate Martina Thokchom. However, there was no goal after the ball went straight into the goalkeeper’s hands.
Manisha had a chance to take the lead after 35 minutes, but his shot hit the post after a nice combination in the middle of the park. The Swedish goalkeeper Emma Holmgren was perhaps the busiest athlete on the field during the first half, as the Indians got another chance in the 40th minute, but the former saved it with ease. On the other side of the pitch, Indian goalkeeper Aditi Chauhan was also alert to some offensive moves from the opponent.
While the first half resulted in a stalemate despite tactical football from both sides, the second half started with Sweden making several attacks, but the Indians defended themselves smartly to maintain parity. India had the best chance to take the lead when striker Pyari Xaxa missed his goal with a whisk in the 73rd minute.
But when it looked certain that the match was on the way to a draw, Vickius scored the important goal for Sweden on a corner from midfielder Ebba Hed, and made her team win. India will face the United States in their next match on June 25.