Last-Minute Heartbreak Ends India's AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup 2025 Campaign
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Synopsis
India faced a heartbreaking end to their AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup 2025 Qualifiers campaign with a narrow 3-4 loss to Kyrgyzstan. Despite a historic goal from Drishti Pant and a valiant effort from Khushbu Saroj, the team finished without a win, illustrating their determination against seasoned opponents.
Key Takeaways
- Drishti Pant made history as the first Indian to score in women's futsal.
- Khushbu Saroj showcased remarkable skill by scoring two goals in quick succession.
- India demonstrated resilience despite finishing their campaign winless.
- Kyrgyzstan secured their first victory in the group.
- The match highlighted India's potential for future competitions.
Yogyakarta (Indonesia), Jan 19 (NationPress) India showcased a significantly enhanced performance before narrowly losing to Kyrgyzstan 3-4 in their final Group B match of the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup 2025 Qualifiers on Sunday.
After leading early on, India found themselves behind 1-3 at halftime, with Drishti Pant scoring in the third minute. In a thrilling final five minutes, the Indian team fought back to equalize at 3-3, courtesy of two spectacular goals from the crafty forward Khushbu Saroj (34’, 40’).
Unfortunately, just 25 seconds before the end of the match, Nazik Kumyshbek Kyzy netted the decisive goal for Kyrgyzstan, leaving India without a point.
The victors also scored through Aizhan Boronbekova (10’), Nursuluu Murzakulova (12’), and Rebecca Zamthianmawi (own goal, 18’), marking Kyrgyzstan's first win in the group after losses to the host team and Hong Kong.
Despite the disappointment of a third successive defeat in their debut campaign, the three goals scored by the Indian girls against more seasoned rivals highlighted their resilience and determination.
Moreover, Drishti Pant made history by scoring India’s inaugural international goal in women’s futsal. The match started energetically with Rebecca passing to skipper Arya More, who assisted Drishti in finding the net.
As the Indian bench erupted in celebration, Drishti joined the ranks of Indian football legends S Raman and Tababi Devi, both of whom scored India's first goals in FIFA-recognized men's and women's football, respectively.
Raman scored on July 31, 1948, against France, while Tababi Devi accomplished hers on December 5, 1997, against Hong Kong. Drishti now follows in their footsteps in women’s futsal.
India's best moments in the game, if not in the tournament, came between the 35th and 40th minutes. Khushbu was in exceptional form, creating panic in the Kyrgyz defense. Her first goal was a result of opportunism, as she managed to pull the ball back just before it went over the line and deftly placed it into the net.
Khushbu’s second goal, which briefly equalized the score, was a stunning long-range shot that caught the opposition off guard.
However, the last-minute goal from Nazik Kumyshbek Kyzy dashed India’s hopes.
