Thaindian News

Margao, Nov 29 (IANS) India were thrashed 5-0 by a higher ranked Zambia in an international football friendly at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda here Tuesday.

Musaknya Bruce Bwalya struck a hat-trick while Mulilo Jimmy Chisenga and Sitali Joseph Mushumba scored goals apiece for the World No.79 against the hapless looking Indian side, who are ranked 162nd in FIFA rankings.

For India it was not the right way to gain confidence ahead of the eight-national SAFF Cup that starts here Friday.

Bwalya was the star of the match with a hat-trick within 21 minutes which sealed the victory for his side.

India coach Savio Medeira handed Steven Dias the captain’s armband and decided to field Baljit Sahni and Sushil Singh upfront in the absence of Sunil Chettri and Jeje Lalpeklua, who are away on trials with Scottish giants Rangers.

Zambia went into lead in the 14th minute after Chisenga went past Syed Rahi Nabi and Gouramangi Moirangthem before slotting past goalkeeper Karanjit Singh from inside the box.

Three minutes later, India missed a chance to equalise as Sushil’s goal-bound header off a Dias corner kick was cleared just in front of the line by Sitali Mushumba.

Zambia attacked down the flanks and held most of the ball possession as they forced an array of flag kicks that always looked dangerous.

India struggled to keep the ball at their feet and hardly created a threat throughout the first half.

The visitors doubled the lead in the 55th minute after Kangwa Evans intercepted a pass to find Sitali Joseph who latched on to the ball to find the back of the net. They made it 3-0 after Bwalya headed home from Katongo Felix’s flag-kick.

Bwalya struck again, just three minutes later, as he got past defender Gouramangi Moirangthem and slotted past Karanjit. He completed his hat-trick in the 90th minute when he nodded in Sitali’s cross from the right.