Indian U-18s rout Singapore 25-0, MP strike twins lead drubbing

Bhopal: After launching their U-18 Asia Cup campaign with a nervy 2-1 win over Malaysia and prevailing over South Korea 3-1 in their second, the Indian Eves moved through the gears and asserted absolute dominance in a goal fest against Singapore on Wednesday.Running rings around the hapless Singaporean defence, the Indians ran riot in a 25-0 drubbing in the Pool A clash, with MP forwards Nousheen Naz, a Class 10 student, and Geethasri Nammi, who studies in Class 7, standing out with seven and five goals to their credit.Geethasri’s stupendous showing saw her being adjudged Player of the Match.The emphatic win saw the Indian girls set up an absorbing showdown against China in the semifinal on June 5.The clinical victory, which capped off India’s unbeaten group run, underlined the ruthless finishing of the MP starlets, still in their early teens, putting the team on course to the last-four stage.Nousheen emerged as the chief tormentor, finishing with a remarkable seven-goal haul showcasing both her prowess with penalty‑corner conversions and predatory movement in open play.The livewire midfielder opened her account in the eighth minute and struck again soon after, registering a brace inside the opening quarter that effectively ended any hope of a Singapore comeback.

Nousheen’s goals came in the 8th, 13th, 17th, 18th, 40th, 52nd and 58th minutes, a mix of swift drag-flicks from set pieces and clinical tap-ins from close-range chances created by sustained Indian pressure.Her tireless work-rate around the circle forced Singapore’s defence onto the back foot throughout, with Nousheen repeatedly finding space in congested areas and converting chances with remarkable calm. The seven-goal return painted her as the tournament’s livewire and a player capable of turning tight games into one-sided affairs.Partnering her in a devastating front line was Geethasri, whose composed finishing and intelligent movement earned her a five-goal haul and the Player of the Match award.The 12-year-old struck early to consolidate India’s dominance, adding another just before half-time to maintain the onslaught.She completed a late treble — goals in the 47th, 48th and 60th minutes — to underline India’s relentless attacking depth and close the scoring emphatically.

Her runs into the circle and ability to finish under pressure stretched Singapore’s defence and created openings for teammates.Captain Sweety Kujur supported the duo with four goals, while Priyanka Minz contributed with a hat-trick. As many as ten Indian players found the net, reflecting the side’s collective approach and attacking rotations that kept the pressure firmly on the opponentsthroughout the match.India had raced ahead when Sweety opened the scoring in the second minute, but it was the Nousheen–Geethasri partnership that settled the contest before the first break.The result saw India top Pool A with nine points and secure passage to the semifinals.The ominous form of the MP forwards puts the visitors in strong stead going into the knockouts.