India leave it late to nick FIFA Series bronze against Malawi
Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 15.04.26. | 16:44
The Asian side struck late in the second half to secure the slim win over Malawi
India finished third in the 2026 FIFA Series after edging Malawi 3-2 at the Nyayo National Stadium today, Wednesday 15 April.
The two teams were keen to wipe their sorrows following losses in their opening matches.
India suffered a 2-0 defeat in the hands of Kenya, while Malawi endured a heavy 5-0 loss to Australia.
The match started at a high pace, with India on the offensive and had their first attempt within a minute as Singh Aveka found a loose ball but her attempt went wide.
India had another chance in the 12th minute when Phanjoubam Nirmala but goalkeeper Esther Maulidi was equal to the task.
The Blue Tigresses were back at it in the 16th minute when Aveka put Shirvoikar Karishma on goal but her shot was deflected fir a corner.
India took the lead from the resultant corner as the defense failed to clear Nirmala’s corner, allowing Astam Oraon to pounce on the ball and fire her strike into the back of the net.
Malawi had a rare chance in the 21st minute when Nguluwe Madyina set up Thom Sabina through on goal, but goalkeeper Hooda Shreyma cleared the danger.
On a quick transition, Malawi had another chance in the 22nd minute but Vanessa Chipikula shot wide.
On the opposite end, Karishma dribbled to the byline and swing in a cross to Prasad Malavika, but she could not connect to a header as the chance went begging.
Malawi made the first substitution of the match at the half hour mark, introducing Henry Deborah for Chavikula.
India wasted a glorious opportunity to double their lead when Aveka on a one-on-one with the goalkeeper, placed the ball in the path of Maulidi who made a save.
Malawi would then come close in the 42nd minute when Berndetta Mkandawire dribbled past two players but was brought down just outside the box.
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From the free kick, Malawi got the breakthrough as left back Irewn Khumalo expertly curled her free kick above the wall and into the back of the net for an equalizer.
With three minutes added on, Kariahma’s pass to Aveka was perfect, this time, as the latter hit her strike past the goalkeeper to restore India’s lead.
Malawi responded immediately with an attack but Kabzete’s shot was blocked by Kumari Purnima with the goalkeeper well beaten.
In the second half, Kabzere lost Malawi’s first chance after failing to find the right pass to Deborah in the 54th minute on a transition.
Chinzimu also had a chance a minute later when she picked a pass inside the box only for her shot to be deflected for a corner.
Khumalo took the corner with precision as India failed to clear the ball with substitute Deborah pouncing with a strike that went into the back of the net.
With the match headed for a draw, Abeka once again came to the rescue of India, scoring in the 84th minute from close range, a goal that guaranteed a 3-2 win for the Asian side.