Indian women beat Maldives 15-0 in Asian Games football

The Indian women's football team began its Asian Games campaign with a thumping 15-0 win over the Maldives 15-0 in their first Group A match at the Namdong Asiad Rugby Field here Sunday and moved a step closer to a quarterfinal berth.

Winger Sasmita Malik and midfielder Kamala Devi were the star performers, scoring five goals each. Striker Bala got a brace while captain Bembem Devi, Prameshwori Devi and Ashalata Devi scored goals apiece.

India completely dominated the proceedings and the Maldivians failed to take even a single shot at the Indian goal.

The Indian women, who led 9-0 at the interval, play hosts South Korea Wednesday. Their last group match is against Thailand Friday when the Asian Games will officially start.

India, two-time SAFF Champions, seized the initiative right from the kick-off.

The flurry of passes, slowing down the pace at will, the sudden bursts of speed and the quick interchanging proved too much for the Maldives as they surrendered meekly.

It was as early as in the fifth minute when Bembem picked out Sasmita on top of the box and the left winger smashed a powerful low shot to the keeper's right to open the scoring for India.

Midfielder Kamala doubled the tally 12 minutes later with a fine strike from inside the area after combining well with Bembem.

Bala got her second as she placed the ball onto the roof of the net from a Tuli Goon cross from the right.

Three minutes later, Sasmita got her second goal, this time scoring from the rebound after Prameshwori Devi had forced the keeper to a diving save.

It was in the 21st minute that the Maldives had all their 11 players in their own half to stop the carnage.

But nothing worked as Kamala heaped on more misery in the 23rd minute after she was set up by Bembem, turning well to beat her marker and firing low shot past the goalkeeper

Sasmita notched up her hat-trick in the 26th minute.

By half-time, Bala had two to her name and Kamala had scored her fourth as India went into the break leading 9-0.

Ashalata joined the party after the break with Bembem deservingly netting one goal. Kamala scored her fifth in the 66th minute.

Sasmita crowned her superlative showing with a dipping free kick in the 80th minute from 25 yards. She was not done yet, turning in her fifth goal seven minutes on. Prameshwori completed the rout in the added time.

Scoreline: India 15 (Sasmita Malik 5th, 23rd, 26th, 80th, 87th), Kamala Devi 17th, 23rd, 31st, 45+3, 66th), Bala Devi (18th, 45+1), (Ashalata Devi 54th), (Bembem Devi 56th), Prameshwori Devi (90+3) beat Maldives 0.