JOIN US Indian football teams at the ongoing South Asian Games encountered contrasting fortunes on the final day of the competition here on Monday.
With both the men and the women making it to the summit clash, the teams were looking at a double. But it was not meant to be as the men’s side went down to Nepal 1-2 in the final, while the women’s side handed a fitting farewell to iconic Oinam Bembem Devi as they trounced Nepalese women’s side 4-0 to clinch the gold medal.
Kamala Devi Yumnam was the architect of the win with a double strike (32nd, 56th minutes) while the experienced duo of captain Bembem and Ngangom Bala Devi marshalled the midfield brilliantly to hand India its second successive title at the SAG.
Close game
Meanwhile, the men’s game was a closely-fought one. India took the lead in the 31st minute with Holicharan Nazary converting a penalty kick but Nepal replied strongly in the second half by pumping in two goals through Prakash Thapa (66th minute) and Nawayug Shreshtha (72nd minute) to clinch the gold.