Photo credit: X/@IndianFootball India kept alive their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals of the AFC Women’s Under-17 Asian Cup with a 4-0 win over Lebanon in their final Group B match at the Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Center in China on Friday.Pritika Barman scored twice in the 6th and 85th minutes, while Alva Devi Senjam and Joya also scored for India.
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EXCLUSIVE: Where did it go wrong for India in the Women’s Asia Cup? Aditi Chauhan decodesPritika led the charge with two goals as India recorded their first win in the tournament since 2005.The result boosted India’s chances of reaching the quarter-finals as one of the top two third-placed teams. India are now close to qualifying for the knockout stage for the first time in 21 years.Following the result, the Philippines would need 12 goals to beat Chinese Taipei, while Chinese Taipei would need a 13-goal win.India made one change from the previous match, with Anushka Kumari replacing Pearl Fernandes and starting the game attacking from the start.Divyani Linda sent a long ball forward from the right-back which Pritika controlled before slotting past Lebanon defender Joya Bou Assaf. Pritika then beat Maria Joe Chebly with a left-footer to give India the lead.India almost scored again when Anushka was given space in the box but Marie intervened.Pritika continued to trouble the Lebanese defense and almost scored her second goal in the 16th minute, but the goalkeeper again stopped her effort.Redima Devi Chingkhamayum passed the ball to Alva on the edge of the box and the striker got past Gianna Frangieh before scoring to give India a 2-0 half-time lead.India continued to attack in the second half and kept Lebanon under pressure. The Young Tigresses controlled possession for long periods and created chances from the wings.Their third goal was scored by Joy, who received the ball on the left side, went past two defenders and hit a right-footed shot to make it 3-0.India completed the win as Pritika scored her second goal of the match. She ran into the penalty area from the right wing and finished through Marie to make it 4:0.
