India 0-2 Metalist 1925 Kharkiv Highlights, International Women’s Friendly: Women In Blue Beaten In Turkiye

Good evening, football fans! This is the start of our live blog covering the India senior women’s team’s friendly match against FC Metalist 1925 Kharkiv. Stay tuned for pre-match updates and line-ups as they are released.

• Fixture: India W vs FC Metalist 1925 Kharkiv W

• Series: FIFA International Women's Friendly

• Venue: Arslan Zeki Demirci Sports Complex (Emirhan Sport Centre), Manavgat, Turkiye

• Date: Sunday, January 18, 2026

• Time: 7:00 PM IST

Some big names are missing from the 26-member squad chosen for the training camp. Soumya Guguloth and Karthika Agamuthu are out with injury issues. Manisha Kalyan, who recently signed for Peruvian side Alianza Lima, is also missing.

Although the match will take place behind closed doors, fans can watch the match live on FC Metalist 1925 Kharkiv's YouTube channel for free. You can also follow the India vs Metalist 1925 Kharkiv live score on Outlook India for free. Read our detailed live streaming guide.

The players are out on the pitch, with the home players draped in Ukrainian flags. After the pre-match formalities, the match kicks off, with Metalist 1925 getting the match underway.

A really curious opening 10 minutes. The Ukrainian side, despite their evident rustiness, are technically superior and have forced India into their half for most of the game and even testing Panthoi Chanu late on. The visitors, however, remain dangerous on the break, trying the break the defensive line with through balls down the flank. It hasn't worked so far, though.

Metalist 1925 have increase the pressure, overloading the Indian box with players. Molodiuk is the latest to have an attempt on target, but Panthoi Chanu is up to the task. The home side have continued to trouble the Indian defence, but for now, the deadlock remains intact.

Best chance of the game so far for Metalist 1925. A darting run from the left flank resulted in a brilliant ball towards the far post. Ivanchenko had a shot but failed to find a way past the defenders, and Zaborovets failed to capitalise on the loose ball from close range. India clear the resulting corner with much difficult. Real nervy stuff from the visitors.

Not the best of watches so far, with both sides looking really rusty and lacking any coordaination. Metalist 1925 Kharkiv had the best chances of the match, with Molodiuk hitting a shot straight at the goalkeeper from close range. The visitors, meanwhile, are yet to have a sniff of Slavych's goal.

Boths sets of players are out on the pitch, and India get the second half underway. Hopefully, we will see a much more improved performance from the Women in Blue in the second 45 minutes. Looks like Metalist 1925 have made three changes at the break.

Extremely poor defending from India, failing to clear the danger in their box. A left-footed curler from outside the box was destined for the far post, but Panthoi Chanu somehow punches it behind. India's defence are living on the edge, and one will question how long the deadlock might stay intact.

Goal!! A handball in the box handed Metalist 1925 a penalty. 19-year-old Lidila Zaborovets stepped up to take the spot kick. Chanu guessed the right way, but the shot was too powerful to be stopped, and the hosts take the lead at the hour mark.

It has been a real struggle for India, who are unable to hold on to the ball for more than a few seconds. Metalist 1925 Kharkiv players are pressing relentlessly, and cutting off any attempts to break the defence via the flanks. India make a change, with Anju Tamang coming off.

Best chance of the match for India!! A long through ball to find the forward was cut out by the Metalist 1925 defence. The rebound falls to another Women in Blue – Pyari Xaxa, was it? – who has a thunderous strike from 30 yards out. It flies straight towards the roof of the net, and Slavych is at full stretch to tip it behind.

Metalist 1925 Kharkiv double their lead in stoppage time!! A corner from the left finds Lesia Olkhova completely unmarked at the near post, and the defender pokes it past a helpless Chanu to make it two for the home side. Shambolic, non-existant defending for India.

It's all over in Turkiye, and Metalist 1925 Kharkiv have sealed a 2-0 win over India.

What to make of this performance? India kept the Ukrainian side – who play in the UEFA Women's Champions League – down to one goal for most of the match. That, however, had to do with the home side's poor finishing as India's defence was amateurish throughout, and they paid the price in stoppage time. Overall, a poor start for the visitors in their European training camp.