India’s U-17 women’s football team suffered a 0-7 defeat against Italy in the opening match of the four-nation tournament at the Grandisco D’Sonzo Stadium. The Thomas Dennerby-coached team began the match by trying to lift the opposition off the pitch and tempt mistakes from them.
Tackles were flying from both sides and it was Italy, who were awarded a free-kick in the fourth minute. Beatrice curled a free-kick but it missed the target. Italy almost took the lead in the 10th minute as Dragni had only one to beat Indian goalkeeper Monalisa, but Monalisa made a brilliant save to deny the Italian.
However, India’s resistance soon fizzled out as Maria Rossi drove the ball past the net a minute later. In the 22nd minute, Monalisa was again called into action by Dragni, but the former again dismissed the ball for a corner.
India came closest to scoring at the half-hour mark when Anita tried a long distance to catch the Italian defense off-guard, but her shot missed the target with a whisker. The floodgates then opened as Anna Longobardi and Giula Dragani scored in the 31st and 33rd minutes respectively to give the Italians some much-needed cushion.
Kajol missed a goal in the 36th minute and India put Italy 0-3 at the half-time break. Italy started the first half right from where they scored Manuela Sciabica’s goal in the 48th minute. This was followed by some quick-fire goals and within 15 minutes of the second half, Italy had extended their lead to six goals.
Neha, Regia, Babina and Pinku made some changes in the 60th minute for Neetu, Linda, Kajol and Shelja. Marta Zambomi scored the final goal of the game in the 67th minute to extend Italy’s lead to seven goals.
On an exposure tour, the Indian team will compete in two tournaments during October-November to prepare for the Under-17 Women’s World Cup in India.