India rout Bhutan 9-0 to bag regional title

Yasaratne GAMAGE

India clinched the AFC under 14 girls’ South and Central Regional Title when they trounced Bhutan by 9-0 to top the points table with 15 points yesterday at the Colombo Football League . Iran overcame Tajikistan by 7-1 at CR and FC grounds on the same day and secured second place with 12 points.

Bangladesh who overcame Sri Lanka by 3-0 at the same venue were placed third with seven points. Hosts Sri Lanka had to satisfy with the fourth place with only two wins in the tournament.

India finished the tournament with five wins out of five matches played with an impressive goal difference of 31.

Midfielder Kashima of India scored in every match for a final personal tally of 13 goals to claim the top scorer award in the tournament.

India defeated Tajikistan on the opening day by 3-0 and went on to defeat Bangladesh by 5-1 in the next match. In their third match against Sri Lanka they scored 10 goals to gain the third consecutive win in the tournament. India also overcame Iran by 6-1 and finally outclassed Bhutan by 9-0 to be undefeated in the tournament.

Hosts Sri Lanka won only two games ( 5-1 against Bhutan, 4-1 against Tajikistan ) and lost three matches. They lost to Bangladesh by 3-0 in yesterday’s last match at CR and FC . Midfielder Monika started scoring in the 18 minute and midfielder Krishna Rani added another goal for Bangladesh three minutes later.

Monika again in the 39th minute did not miss her opportunity to find the target in the penalty awarded by referee Mahnaz Zokaee.