The Indian women’s football team delivered a significantly improved performance on Tuesday, securing a goalless draw against hosts Uzbekistan in their second friendly match at the Bunyodkor Stadium in Tashkent. This result comes after a 3-0 defeat in the first game last week.
India showcased a more composed and strategic display in the second match, creating multiple scoring opportunities, particularly through set pieces, within the opening 15 minutes.
Soumya Guguloth emerged as a key threat to the Uzbek defence in the first half, consistently cutting inside to challenge the opposition. In one notable instance, Soumya Guguloth volleyed Anju Tamang’s cut-back wide from a position near the penalty spot. Another significant chance came when Uzbek goalkeeper Zarina Saidova’s weak punch on Anju Tamang’s cross fell to Soumya Guguloth. Though Soumya Guguloth managed to turn the ball in, the goal was disallowed for offside.
Uzbekistan also had their moments, with Shreya Hooda making crucial saves to deny a long-range shot and a header from the resulting corner. Both teams went into the break without breaking the deadlock.
The second half mirrored the first, with India maintaining the role of the primary aggressors while Uzbekistan relied on counter-attacks. Despite India’s dominance in possession and their efforts to drive the ball into the final third, their final passes lacked precision. On the rare occasions when they managed a good pass, the finishing touch was missing.
India, currently ranked 66th in the FIFA women’s football rankings, displayed resilience against the 48th-ranked Uzbekistan team, reflecting a positive trajectory in their performance.
