Sorokhaibam ranjana chanu

Lynda Kom Serto: India’s newly-appointed Swedish coach, Joakim Alexandersson, began his journey on a more than satisfactory note as the Blue Tigresses ended the year with a brilliant demolition of the Maldives, winning 14-0 at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence on Monday.

It was the first of the two friendly matches scheduled against the Maldives. The second will be played at the same venue on January 2, 2025. India led 8-0 at half time.

Alexandersson handed over debuts to as many as eight players, three of whom excelled in attack, scoring eight of India's goals in the game.