India’s newly-appointed Swedish coach, Joakim Alexandersson, began his journey on a delightful 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 2nd January. 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.

While seasoned campaigner Pyari Xaxa and debutant Lynda Kom Serto finished with hat-tricks, scoring three and four goals, respectively, Neha and Kajol Dsouza (two each), Sangita Basfore, Sorokhaibam Ranjana Chanu and Rimpa Haldar accounted for one goal each.

It was one of the Blue Tigresses’ biggest-ever victory margins in international football. In 2010, India defeated Bhutan 18-0 in the SAFF Championship in Bangladesh.

The onslaught continued in the second half, and within six minutes of the restart, Sangita Basfore added a ninth and then provided a brilliant through ball that resulted in Lynda Kom's fourth of the game to take India's tally into double digits. 

Defender Ranjana Chanu joined the scoring list with a right-footed curler from the top of the box in the 54th. Another one of the debutants, Kajol Dsouza, introduced as a substitute, scored two brilliant goals (59', 66') her second in particular showcasing fine skill and technique to get away from the marker. Substitute Rimpa Halder got her first goal between Dsouza's strikes in the 62nd minute.