Bwalya scores hat-trick as Zambia wallop India 5-0

Margao, Nov 29 (PTI) Substitute Musakanya Bruce Bwalya scored a hat-trick as Zambia gave India a footballing lesson, thrashing the hosts 5-0 in an international friendly on Tuesday.

India found the Zambians too hot to handle as the visitors, who lead 1-0 at half time, pumped in five goals through Mulilo Jimmy Chisamba (14th), Sitali Joseph Mushumba (55th) and Bwalya (69th, 72nd, 90th). The African team`s pace, power and silken touch, mesmerised the Indians, as the visitors moved the ball with short passes and held possession throughout the match. The hosts were forced on the backfoot with their midfield falling down as the Zambians raided the rival goal with ease. After initial resistance, the visitors opened their account in the 14th minute. A quick move on the right saw Chisamba with the ball outside the box. Chisamba dribbled past defender Syed Rahim Nabi and made inroads into the box taking defender Gouramangi Singh in his stride before unleashing an angular drive to find the back of the net. India resorted to long passes to break the rival defense and had two chances to find the equaliser but a Sushil Singh header off a flag kick taken by Steven Dias from the right was saved by defender, Sitali Joseph Mushumba in the 18th minute. Later in the 42nd minute, Dias drove the ball over from inside the box off a back pass from Mahesh Gawli. The visitors kept on probing into the rival half with accurate passes and Ketongo Felix forced rival goalkeeper Karanjit Singh to make a diving save. After the change of ends, India coach Savio Medeira brought in fresh pair of legs by replacing Baljit Sahni, Baldeep Singh and Steven Dias with Joaquim Abranches, Jaspal Parmar and Climax Lawerence, but that did not help as Zambia increased the lead in the 55th minute. Mulenga Henry Nyambe made way for Mushumba as he relayed the ball inside the box, and the latter made no mistake in finding the target. Zambia coach Herve Renald then made three changes bringing in Mudenda?Kennedy, Bwalya, and Luputa Alfred in place of Kangwa Evans, Kampamba Ronald and Katongo Felix. The move paid off as Bwalya headed in a flag kick taken by Kotongo Felix in the 69th minute. Later, he captalised on the defensive errors when his first attempt was stopped by defender Gourmangi, who fumbled to clear the ball perhaps thinking Gawli would clear it. Bwalya darted in and shot home in the 72nd minute. Substitute Lungu Luka could have added to the scoresheet but his attempt hit the bar and custodian Karanjit Singh collected off the deflection. Bwalya then rounded off the tally to complete his hat- trick by heading home a cross from the right by Mushumba. Renald was pleased with his team`s performance. "We played better than the last match against Goa XI," he said. Medeira, who was hoping for a good contest ahead of the SAFF Cup, said India lost to a superior side that was highly talented and skillful. "It was a good learning experience for our boys as they played against a higher ranked team," Medeira said. PTI