Chiang Mai, June 29: The Indian senior women’s team continued their impressive run in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers with a commanding 4-0 victory over Timor-Leste here on Sunday.
Winger Manisha Kalyan (12’, 80’) scored a brilliant brace, while Anju Tamang (58’) and Lynda Kom Serto (86’) added their names to the scoresheet in a one-sided contest that saw India dominate from start to finish at the 700th Anniversary Stadium.
The Blue Tigresses led 1-0 at half-time.
With the win, India now sit atop Group B with six points from two games, ahead of Iraq and Thailand, who are set to face each other later in the day.
The top spot in the five-team group remains up for grabs, but India have certainly staked a strong claim with back-to-back dominant displays.
Fresh from the record-breaking 13-0 triumph over Mongolia in their opening fixture, India entered the match brimming with confidence.
Right from kick-off, India picked up from where they left off against Mongolia, applying pressure high up the pitch and creating opportunities with slick passing and energetic wing play.
The first chance came as early as the sixth minute when Tamang latched onto a through ball, but Timor-Leste goalkeeper Gorette Da Costa did well to deny her at the near post.
However, the breakthrough came soon after.
A neat one-two between Manisha and Tamang unlocked the left side of Timor-Leste’s defence. Tamang released Manisha with a perfectly weighted pass, and the forward showed blistering pace to beat her marker before cutting inside and rifling a powerful left-footed strike into the back of the net.
The early goal gave India a firm grip on the contest. The Blue Tigresses dictated the tempo with ease, dominating possession and probing constantly for openings.(PTI)
