MANAUS: The Indian women’s football team went down 1-2 to Venezuela at the Arena da Amazonia and ended its campaign in the four-nation tournament, where they played higher-ranked teams including heavyweights Brazil, without a win.
Ranked a place below Venezuela in the FIFA rankings at 57th, India entered their final game of the tour aiming for a positive result.
However, that was not to be as the women from Venezuela came out triumphant after falling behind in the first half.
India took an early lead through Grace Dangmei and ended the first half with a one-goal lead.
But the Venezuelans made a fine comeback in the second half and ran out 2-1 winners after Mariana and Barbara scored for the South American side in a hard-fought game.
Mariana, especially, has made a lot of difference in the second half with her speed.
Barbara struck in the 80th minute to put the Venezuelans in lead, which they maintained until the final whistle.
The equaliser came in the 50th minute when Mariana found the back of the net from point-blank range.
The Indian scored the only goal of the first half — in the 17th minute — through a set-piece when Ritu Rani’s ball was met by Grace. —PTI

Press Trust of India