Indian footballer Manisha Kalyan unleashed a spectacular free kick during the AFC Women's Asia Cup match against Chinese Taipei.
Watch VIDEO: Manisha Kalyan Unleashes Cristiano Ronaldo-Like Free Kick In India vs Chinese Taipei AFC Women's Asia Cup Match. (Credits: Football India X/Screengrab)
Even as India lost comprehensively to Chinese Taipei that ended their AFC Women’s Asian Cup campaign, Manisha Kalyan snaffled the spotlight with her stunning free kick in Sydney. The spectacular free kick earned her comparison to Portugese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo.
With India trailing by 0-1 in the 39th minute of their must-win contest at the CommBank Stadium in Paramatta, Manisha dished out a thunderous strike from almost 30 yards out. The ball curled in antagonizing fashion and it looked like it will go inside the net, only for it to hit the crossbar. The ball immediately bounced back into play as the players were uncertain about whether it had gone inside the goal. The 24-year-old, who plays as a forward, signalled for the VAR check, seemingly confident that it was a goal.
The VAR check or replays indicated that the ball had hit the underside of the cross bar before going over the line as the scoreline became 1-1. The commentator on air quickly labelled it as the 'goal of the tournament' and added that the youngster's favourite footballer Cristiano Ronaldo will like it.
Here's the clip of the moment:
Take a bow, Manisha Kalyan!
— #WAC2026 (@afcasiancup) March 10, 2026
What a strike! One of the finest goals we’ve seen at #WAC2026 👏⚽#INDvTPE pic.twitter.com/Qar4YANmdh
Y. H. Su had enabled Chinese Taipei to take the lead in the 12th minute of the game. In the extra time after the first half of the game, India's goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu Elangbam conceded an own goal, helping Chinese Taipei to go ahead 2-1. Yu-Chin Chen nailed the final nail in the coffin to beat Panthoi Chanu Elangbam's defences in the 77th minute, making the scoreline 3-1. The Blue Tigress had also lost to Vietnam and Japan, leaving them with a monumental task of beating Chienese Taipei by two goals to stay alive in the tournament.
Although Japan had assisted them big time with a massive 4-0 victory over Vietnam, India were not able to deliver the desired outcome.
