The Indian national women's football team defeated their Malaysian counterparts by a 2-0 scoreline in an international friendly game at the MP Selayang Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.
Pyari Xaxa (79' and 86') came off the bench and found the back of the net twice in the final quarter of the second half to register a win for the Blue Tigresses away from home.
Maymol Rocky in her very first game in charge chose to go in with an attacking lineup, shielded by a four woman defence. Umapita Devi, Ashalata Devi, Manisha Panna and Dalima Chibber constituted the Indian backline.
The visitors were spoilt for choice as Dangmei Grace, Kamala Devi and skipper Ngangom Bala Devi were the options up front.
In a game dominated by the Indians, Grace found an opening as early as the 4th minute but her shot went right into the 'keeper's hands.
Malaysia were on the backfoot from the word go but remained in the game thanks to Nurul Azurin's inspired glove work.
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In the second period, the momentum shifted to the home side as the women in blue were seen chasing the game but Pyari Xaxa's introduction in the 52nd minute slowed the game.
Prameshwori Devi kept testing the Malaysian backline repeatedly but failed to break the deadlock.
Pyari, the Rising Student FC forward made her first impression in the 67th minute when her ripper landed in the hands of Azurin.
However, it was not long before she left the keeper for dead in the 79th minute, breezing past her marker to open the scoring.
Sealing the deal with five minutes of regulation time left, Dalima Chibber sent in a vicious flag-kick where Xaxa headed home, not before a healthy deflection off the post.
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"Malaysia is a good team. We analysed how they play in the first half. I went in with instructions from the coach in the second period and with the help of my teammates, I was able to score", recounted the player of the match, all of 20 years old.
"I always keep her to go in and change the game in the second half, I've known that and did that and it worked for the team," head coach Maymol Rocky praised of Xaxa.
Being the first ever woman to take up the position, Rocky felt delighted that her charges supported her. She said, "Really very pleased that the girls played for me in my first ever game. Proud of the girls as they gave their hundred percent."
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