The Indian Women's Football Team suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat against Uzbekistan in their second friendly match, held at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. This loss marks the second consecutive defeat for the Blue Tigresses against Uzbekistan, following a similar result in their previous encounter on May 30, 2025.
The decisive moment of the match came in the 49th minute when Nilufar Kudratova unleashed a stunning strike, cutting inside with her left foot and firing the ball past Indian goalkeeper Payal Basude into the top corner. Despite the setback, the Indian team displayed a spirited performance, showcasing more attacking intent compared to their previous game.
India pressed higher up the pitch from the start, aiming to dictate the tempo. The defense, led by Thokchom Martina, played a crucial role in containing the Uzbek attack. Goalkeeper Payal Basude also made several important saves in the first half, including a notable stop after Nozimakhon Ergasheva's powerful strike hit the crossbar in the 11th minute.
In midfield, the Indian team appeared more organized, effectively utilizing the width of the field to stretch the Uzbek defense. Sangita Basfore contributed to building attacks from deep, while fullback Ranjana Chanu injected pace and creativity into the game. India's best opportunity to score occurred in the 21st minute when Ranjana delivered a dangerous cross from the right, which Pyari Xaxa met with a strong header. However, the Uzbek goalkeeper made a reflex save, and Sangita failed to capitalize on the rebound.
After Kudratova's goal early in the second half, the Blue Tigresses momentarily lost their rhythm but quickly regrouped and resumed their attacking efforts. Soumya Guguloth and Pyari Xaxa continued to challenge the Uzbekistan defense, and the introduction of substitutes brought fresh energy to the team. Despite promising moves, the final pass or shot often lacked the precision needed to equalize. Manisha Naik almost equalized with the last touch of the game after almost 15 minutes of attacking pressure, but Uzbek keeper Maftuna Jonimqulova stood strong to secure a win for the visitors.
Reflecting on the match, India head coach Crispin Chettri had stated that both matches against Uzbekistan were experimental. He aimed to provide opportunities to new players and assess their capabilities at the international level. Chettri had also hinted at a potential change in formation while emphasizing the importance of composure and control against a physically and technically strong Uzbekistan team known for their set-piece prowess.
Uzbekistan coach Kotryna Kulbytė expressed satisfaction with her team's performance in the first match and was pleased to see tactical routines from training implemented effectively on the pitch. She acknowledged the need for further improvement, highlighting the ongoing journey of development for her team.
The friendly matches against Uzbekistan serve as crucial preparation for the Indian women's team as they gear up for the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers. India are placed in Group B for the qualifiers and will face Mongolia, Timor-Leste, Iraq, and Thailand in Chiang Mai.
