Indian eves thrash Hong Kong 5-2 in football friendly

New Delhi (India), Jan 21 (ANI): Indian women’s football team kick-started their Hong Kong tour with a bang as they defeated the hosts 5-2 in a friendly match on Monday.
Forward player Dangmei Grace was the star of the show for India as she netted twice to give her side the early lead while Sanju Yadav, Sumithra and Ratanbala Devi chipped in with one goal each to make it a memorable win for India.
The Indian eves started off on the front foot, when Indumathi Kathiresan played Grace through on goal before the latter slotted it into the net to earn the early lead. While Cheung Wai Ki equalised for Hong Kong on the 17th minute, it took Grace just five minutes to restore India’s advantage after she combined well with Anju Tamang.
On the stroke of half time, Indian defender Dalima Chhibber sent in a cross that was masterfully nodded past the goalline by Sanju to make the score 3-1 in India’s favour.
Hong Kong came out all guns blazing in the second half and eventually managed to reduce the deficit in the 70th minute as Chung Pui Ki scored from a corner.
India still had the lead and they managed to double it once again on the 82nd minute when Sumithra latched on to a pass from second-half substitute Pyari Xaxa to make it 4-2. The icing on the cake was finally provided by Ratanbala, who combined with Sanju to score the fifth Indian goal.
Indian eves are set to play their next game against the same opponents on January 23.
India are playing four Friendlies - two against Hong Kong in Hong Kong, followed by two against Indonesia in Indonesia. The matches have been organised to help the team prepare in the best shape for the forthcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic Qualifiers Round 2. (ANI)