They eliminate Iraq with a 5-0 win in Group B
Chiang Mai, July 2: India continued its dominant run in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers with a resounding 5-0 win over Iraq at the 700th Anniversary Stadium, Chiang Mai, on Wednesday, boosting their goal difference and staying firmly atop Group B ahead of a virtual decider against Thailand.
The Blue Tigresses were on the front foot from the first whistle and opened the scoring in the 14th minute when Sangita Basfore capitalised on a fumble by the Iraqi goalkeeper from a corner delivered by skipper Sanju. India kept piling on the pressure, and after coming close through multiple attempts, they finally doubled the lead in the 44th minute. Manisha Kalyan, who had been lively throughout the half, saw her grounded effort somehow slip through the goalkeeper’s hands to make it 2-0 at the break.
India resumed the second half with renewed purpose, making double substitutions that immediately paid dividends. Within two minutes of the restart, Karthika Angamuthu unleashed a sensational strike from distance to make it 3-0. Iraq, overwhelmed and unable to build from the back, had little response.
Nirmala Devi joined the scoresheet with a thunderous shot in the 64th minute, giving the Iraqi goalkeeper no chance as the ball fizzed past her to the top corner. Ratanbala Devi wrapped up the goal fest in the 80th minute, scoring on the rebound after her initial effort was saved.
Despite the healthy scoreline, India remained relentless in attack. Rimpa, Pyari Xaxa, and Manisha all came close to extending the lead further in the dying minutes, but were denied by narrow misses and an inspired, if overwhelmed, Iraqi keeper.
Iraq, now eliminated along with Timor-Leste and Mongolia, rarely troubled India’s backline, with goalkeeper Elangbam maintaining a clean sheet, including a solid save on the hour mark.
With nine points and a goal difference of +22, India now prepares to face Thailand in what is expected to be the group decider. Only the group winner advances to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 in Australia, making the upcoming clash a must-win.
