The Indian women’s football team suffered a 1-0 defeat to Uzbekistan in the second of two FIFA international friendlies on Tuesday at Bengaluru’s Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence.
Despite a strong and determined performance, the Blue Tigresses were undone by a moment of brilliance from Nilufar Kudratova early in the second half.
India started the match with an attacking intent, pressing high up the pitch to take control of the game. The defense, led by Thokchom Martina, held firm against Uzbekistan’s attacking threats.
When the backline was breached, goalkeeper Payal Basude was key, making a series of vital saves. Her most crucial intervention came in the 11th minute, when Nozimakhon Ergasheva’s thunderous strike rattled the crossbar.
In midfield, India showed more cohesion compared to their previous match, using the width of the pitch to stretch Uzbekistan’s defense. Sangita Basfore controlled the play from deep, while fullback Ranjana Chanu added pace and creativity to the attack.
India’s best chance came in the 21st minute. Ranjana sent a dangerous cross from the right, and Pyari Xaxa met it with a powerful header at the far post. However, Uzbekistan’s goalkeeper pulled off a reflex save, and though the rebound fell to Sangita, she could not direct her shot on target.
That missed opportunity proved costly. Just four minutes into the second half, Uzbekistan found the breakthrough. Kudratova picked up the ball at the edge of the box, bypassed two defenders, and fired a fierce left-footed shot into the top corner, past a helpless Basude.
The goal briefly unsettled the Blue Tigresses, but they regrouped and pushed forward. Soumya Guguloth and Pyari Xaxa continued to press the Uzbek defense, while substitutes brought fresh energy to the attack.
However, despite some promising movements, the final ball or shot often lacked the necessary precision to convert chances into goals.
In the end, India was unable to find the equalizer and suffered a 1-0 loss to Uzbekistan, mirroring the result from their earlier friendly earlier on Tuesday.
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