Chiang Mai, Thailand – June 23, 2025: The India women’s football team made a thunderous start to their AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 qualifying campaign with a record-breaking 13-0 win over Mongolia at the 700th Anniversary Stadium in Chiang Mai on Monday.
This emphatic victory marks India women’s football team’s biggest ever win in the history of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup (including qualifiers and final rounds), surpassing their previous best of 10-0 wins over Guam in both 1997 and 2005.
The India women’s football team were in complete control from the first whistle, going into the break with a 4-0 lead and then adding nine more in a ruthless second-half performance.
Key Performers:
Forward Pyari Xaxa was the standout player of the match, scoring five goals (29’, 45’, 46’, 52’, 55’) in a sensational display of attacking prowess. Soumya Guguloth contributed a brace (20’, 59’) and also played a crucial role in setting up several goals.
India women’s football team opened the scoring in the 8th minute through Sangita Basfore, who headed home from close range after a pinpoint cross by Soumya. Guguloth then doubled the lead with a thunderous volley that struck the post before finding the net.
Xaxa’s first goal came off a smart cut-back from Soumya, and she followed it up with a stunning long-range strike into the top corner just before the half-time whistle.
The second half saw no respite for Mongolia, as Pyari completed her hat-trick and added two more in quick succession. After Soumya’s second goal came from a goalkeeping error, head coach Crispin Chettri introduced fresh legs, bringing on Priyadharshini Selladurai, Malavika, and Purnima Kumari to sustain the momentum.
The substitutes made an immediate impact. Rimpa Haldar (67’) and Malavika (71’) added their names to the scoresheet, while Priyadharshini netted a brace (73’, 86’) to further extend the lead. A coolly converted penalty by Grace Dangmei in the 75th minute capped off the dominant performance.
India’s dominant display sends a strong message to the rest of the group as they continue their qualification journey for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026.
India women’s football team vs Mongolia women’s football team AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifier highlights
Read more about Indian Football
