India beaten 4-0 by Russia in Kolkata in opening friendly
India’s women’s national team lost 0-4 to Russia at the rain-soaked Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Thursday, October 8, 2026, in the first of two international friendlies between the sides.
Head coach Crispin Chettri fielded a markedly different India side as he tested emerging players and handed international debuts to Babysana Devi Thingbaijam, Malati Munda, Cindy Colney, Shubhangi Singh, Dhurga Perumal and Sibani Devi Nongmeikapam; goalkeeper Monalisha Devi Moirangthem made her first start and earned her third cap. The 69th-ranked Blue Tigresses met 27th-ranked Russia for India’s first-ever women’s international match in Kolkata, and the hosts held their own for much of the opening period before conceding four second-half goals.
Russia controlled more possession and pushed India’s defensive shape for long spells in the first half, but the hosts defended in a compact block and produced chances of their own. India’s clearest openings came around the half-hour mark when Malavika P had a close-range opportunity saved by Russia goalkeeper Natalia Silina, and Lynda Kom Serto threatened later in the period. The visitors broke the deadlock in the 40th minute when Iana Sheina curled a finish into the bottom corner past Monalisha, sending the teams into the interval 1-0 to Russia.
Heavy rain made the second half a sterner test as Russia kept India under sustained pressure on the slippery surface. Natalia Mashina and Kira Petukhova had near chances before India’s goalkeeper produced interventions to prevent an immediate second, but the hosts struggled to establish a consistent attacking rhythm against the visitors’ urgency.
Russia doubled their lead in the 60th minute when captain Nadezhda Smirnova’s long-range effort bounced awkwardly off the wet pitch; Monalisha could only parry and Kira Petukhova followed up to score from close range. Five minutes later Petukhova converted again after India failed to clear a delivery inside the box, making it 3-0.
Chettri made three substitutions in the 66th minute, introducing Shubhangi Singh, Priyadharshini Selladurai and Renu for Malati, Babysana and Jasoda Munda respectively. The visitors added a fourth in the 81st minute when Iana Svistunova brought down a bouncing delivery from the left and drove the ball home.
The match exposed India’s difficulty in maintaining defensive resistance over 90 minutes against higher-ranked opposition, while also offering positives: the team’s first-half organisation, the attacking openings created earlier in the game and Monalisha’s saves. The opportunity given to six debutants reflected Chettri’s intent to broaden the squad.
India’s starting XI read: Monalisha Devi Moirangthem, Purnima Kumari, Jasoda Munda (Renu 66'), Sangita Basfore, Sanfida Nongrum, Lynda Kom Serto, Babysana Devi Thingbaijam (Priyadharshini Selladurai 66'), Ranjana Chanu Sorokhaibam, Juli Kishan, Malati Munda (Shubhangi Singh 66'), Malavika P. Russia’s goals came from Iana Sheina (40'), Kira Petukhova (60', 65') and Iana Svistunova (81'). The teams will meet again on October 11, 2026.