The Indian senior women’s football team continued their dominant form in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers with a comprehensive 4-0 win over Timor-Leste at the 700th Anniversary Stadium on Sunday.
Manisha Kalyan netted a brace (12’, 80’), while Anju Tamang (58’) and Lynda Kom Serto (86’) added a goal each, as the Blue Tigresses recorded their second straight victory in Group B.
India led 1-0 at the interval and maintained control throughout a one-sided contest, building on the confidence of their record 13-0 rout of Mongolia earlier in the campaign.
The result takes India to six points from two matches, placing them at the top of the group ahead of Iraq and hosts Thailand, who are scheduled to play later in the day.
India started brightly, pressing high and creating chances from the outset. Tamang came close early, forcing a save from Timor-Leste goalkeeper Gorette Da Costa in the sixth minute.
The breakthrough came soon after when a slick one-two between Tamang and Manisha carved open the Timor-Leste defence. Manisha’s pace and powerful left-footed finish gave India a deserved early lead.
India nearly doubled the advantage through Pyari Xaxa, whose curling effort struck the woodwork, and Soumya Guguloth also tested Da Costa. Despite their dominance, India had just the one goal to show at half-time, with Timor-Leste offering little in attack and sitting deep to resist the pressure.
India resumed strongly in the second half, and the second goal came in the 58th minute. A cross from Sanju on the left was misjudged by Da Costa, allowing Tamang to tap home from close range.
Manisha added her second and India’s third with a powerful effort from the edge of the box after a clever assist from Tamang, who was central to much of India’s attacking play.
The final goal was a demonstration of India’s fluidity in attack. Substitutes Grace Dangmei and Lynda Kom combined well, with Grace breaking into the area before setting up Lynda, who calmly finished into an open net.
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