RECAP 2K16: GOLDEN RUN FOR THE GOLDEN GIRLS

24 Dec 2016

AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: The Indian Women’s Senior National Team won the Gold Medal in the 12^th South Asian Games held in Shillong, Meghalaya by defeating Nepal 4-0 in a one-sided final at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on February 15, 2016.

In a fitting farewell for legendary Bembem Devi who hung up her boots after playing for than 20 years for the Indian Women’s Team, a brace by Kamala Devi and a goal a piece by Bala and Ashalata Devi led the ‘Women in Blue’ to the coveted Gold Medal.

Although the Indian Women suffered a shaky start to their South Asian Games campaign as they were held to a goalless draw by Maldives despite dominating most of the match, the Women returned to winning ways in their second match.

In the next match, the Indian Women blasted five goals past Sri Lanka in a 5-0 win with Dangmei Grace leading the Indian goal scoring charts with a brace. Strikes by Sasmita Malik, Kamala Devi and a Sri Lankan own goal added more gloss to the scoreline.

Even as Shillong thronged the stadia in numbers and cheered for the Women’s Team, the 5-0 win over Sri Lanka added to the reputation of the Indian Women’s Team and against Nepal, a full house greeted the Teams as they made their way to the centre of the pitch.

But luck eluded the ‘Women in Blue’ as a 0-0 stalemate against Nepal on February 11, 2016, meant a must-win clash against Bangladesh on February 13, 2016.

Under pressure, the Indian Women produced a ‘five-star’ performance as they hammered Bangladesh 5-1 courtesy of braces by Bala and Kamala Devi and a goal from Sanju.

With the Indian Women slated to face Nepal in the Gold Medal clash, Shillong once again filled the stands in support of the Indian Women and cheered the ‘Women in Blue’ with every pass they jotted on the field of play. The fans sang for Bembem Devi, who was playing the last match of her India career.

In a one-sided final, the Indian Women stamped their authority over their opponents, Nepal, and won the Gold Medal in front of packed stadia all rising and saluting the Women for scripting history.