Anna 
India’s women’s football team suffered a 2-0 defeat against Russia in their second match of the 2025 Pink Ladies Cup at the Al Hamriya Sports Club Stadium on Sunday.
Russia, ranked 27th in the world—42 places above India—scored once in each half. Glafira Zhukova found the net in the 25th minute, while Valentina Smirnova sealed the win with a header in the 92nd minute.
From the outset, Russia’s physicality put India under pressure. In the first three minutes, Russia hit the crossbar and were denied a goal on the goalline. The woodwork came to India’s rescue again in the 12th minute, with the match largely played around the 18-yard box.
On the 25th-minute goal, Kseniia Dolgova made a run down the left wing and delivered a cross into India’s six-yard box. The ball was not cleared, and Zhukova calmly slotted it home to give Russia the lead.
India held off several more Russian attacks in the first half thanks to some solid defending, including key saves from goalkeeper Shreya Hooda. Captain Nadezhda Smirnova also saw her header fly over the crossbar.
India responded with some attacking moves of their own. In the 31st minute, winger Manisha—a scorer in the win over Jordan—took a powerful shot on goal. Russian goalkeeper Kira Petukhova did well to push it over the bar, keeping her side ahead.
In the second half, India looked more organized defensively, closing down spaces and reducing Russia’s attacking options. The Russians struggled to break through, and the Blue Tigresses managed to occasionally push forward. Manisha came close again in the 74th minute, but her long-range shot went inches over the bar.
Crispin Chettri made some attacking changes, bringing on Lynda Kom Serto and Grace Dangmei in the final stages of the match, hoping for an equalizer. However, Russia sealed the victory in stoppage time. Smirnova scored a second goal with a header off a corner in the 92nd minute.
India, who had won their opening match 2-0 against Jordan, will face the Republic of Korea in their third and final match of the tournament on Wednesday.
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