SHILLONG: The Indian eves asserted their supremacy on the football field thereby justifying their tag of defending champions at the 12th South Asian Games on Tuesday when they beat Sri Lanka 5-0 at the JN Sports Complex, here.
The Indians were held to a goalless draw by Maldives in their last encounter but thanks to a stellar performance by Grace Dangmei on Tuesday, the host nation’s campaign has come back on track.
An own goal by Sri Lanka’s Hasara Dilrangi gave India the lead in the 23rd minute.
Dangmei proved to be instrumental throughout the 90 minutes, scoring two goals and providing a 60th minute assist to Kamala Devi who scored India’s fourth goal of the match.
The forward’s first goal came in added time of the first half after a scramble inside the box.
India, thus, took the break with a two-goal lead.
Crossing over, India continued to dominate proceedings putting the Lankan midfield and back line to the test.
A minute into the second half, Kamala Devi sent a cracker of a shot that smashed into the crossbar. Grace came back for her second goal in the 58th minute after finding an opening and slamming home a long range shot.
Two minutes later, she was once again in action, providing an assist to Kamala Devi who finished a comfortable tap in for India’s fourth goal.
In the 74th minute, Sri Lanka’s Hasara Dilrangi was handed a yellow card after bringing down Kamala inside the area.
Sasmita Malik took the penalty and placed the ball past Sri Lanka’s custodian A. Wijerathna for the fifth and final goal.
Meanwhile, in the first match of the day, Bangladesh beat Maldives 2-0 to make it two wins on the trot.
