U-16 India girls thrash UAE

Dhaka, Oct 21: A ruthless Indian Under-16 women's football team Tuesday routed minnows United Arab Emirates 12-0 to keep alive its hopes in the AFC Championship qualifying round.

Roja Devi (24th, 59th, 74th, 90+2 minutes) and substitute Anushka Sharma (71st, 77th, 82nd, 84th) grabbed four goals apiece while Sushmita Bardhan (3rd, 57rd) scored a brace to help India completely dominate the match at the Bangabandhu Stadium.

Jabamani Tudu (7th) and Premi Chiru (67th) also got their names on the scoresheet to catapult India to the second spot from fourth in Group B with six points from three matches.

Iran, who consolidated their place at the top of the standings after beating Jordan 6-1, now have nine points from three points with Bangladesh (6 points) third, followed by Jordan in fourth place (3) and out-of-contention UAE rooted to the bottom.

India will play a must-win game against Jordan Thursday.