U-19 India girls end AFC qualifying campaign with win

India finished their Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-19 Women's Championship qualifying campaign with a 3-1 victory over Lebanon in their last group match at the Petra Stadium here Sunday.

With the win, India ended on 3 points from as many matches after bowing out of the competition, losing 0-2 against Uzbekistan and 1-3 against Jordan.

Dangmei Grace, Sweety Devi and Pyari Xaxa scored for India after Mariam Chehab gave Lebanon an early lead in the 19th minute.

The Indian team, the early goal notwithstanding, dominated possession and controlled the tempo of the match and should have scored more goals.

Lebanon were forced to defend and rarely ventured forward, mostly on sporadic counter-attacks.

But they took the lead. Mariam's goal came of such a counter attack and it was the only action to unfold in India's 18-yard box in the half.

India came back into the contest through the impressive Dangmei who leveled with a powerful shot in the 33rd minute. She again came close to scoring 5 minutes later when her header off a Sweety Devi corner bounced off the post and the rebound header by Dalima Chibber was cleared off the line.

India were creating chances but unable to convert. Pyari Xaxa wasted a golden opportunity with only rival goalkeeper Almokhi Hiba to beat but blasted over.

India intensified the pressure after the break. Lebanon were busy defending with 10 men in their own half.

Pyari's speed was creating problems for the rival defence and with substitute Hemolata playing the perfect foil for Grace, India started to grow in confidence.

They had several chances to increase the tally but couldn't take them until Priya scored on the hour mark.

They continued to blow chances like spoilt kids but eventually the victory margin was sweetened when Sweety increased their lead in the 80th minute.