Chiang Mai, June 23
India began their AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers with a 13-0 victory against Mongolia at the 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium on Monday. The Blue Tigresses led 4-0 at half-time, before running riot in the second 45 minute period.
This was India biggest ever win in an AFC Women’s Asian Cup (final round and qualifiers). Previously, the Blue Tigresses’ 10-0 victories against Guam in 1997 and 2005 held the record.
Pyari Xaxa (29’, 45’, 46’, 52’, 55’) netted five goals in the match, while Soumya Guguloth (20’, 59’) and Priyadharshini Selladurai (73’, 86’) scored two each. Sangita Basfore (8’), Rimpa Haldar (67’), Malavika (71’), and Grace Dangmei (75’ p) scored one each.
India imposed their iron grip on the match early on in the game, with Basfore opening the scoring, when she nodded in a Soumya cross from close range. The latter doubled India’s lead in an emphatic manner, when she produced a powerful volley off a Rimpa cross. Her volley pinged off the upright and went in.
Pyari scored two more before half-time, first scoring off a cut-back from Soumya, before producing a powerful long-range effort that rifled into the top corner.