Musakanya Bwalya was the star of the match with a hat-trick within 21 minutes which sealed the victory for his side.
Savio Medeira handed Steven Dias the captain’s armband and decided to field Baljit Sahni and Sushil Singh upfront. Zambia, on the other hands, made several changes to their line-up from the one that started against Goa XI which highlighted coach Rene Havre’s strategy.
India keeper Karanjit Singh was tested early as he punched away a teasing cross from Katongo Felix from the right and saw Kangwa Evan’s bicycle effort sail wide.
It took around 14 minutes for the first breakthrough as Jimmy Chisenga went past Syed Rahi Nabi and Gouramangi Moirangthem before slotting past a hapless Karanjit Singh from inside the box.
Three minutes later, India were unlucky to witness Sushil Singh’s goal-bound header off a Steven Dias corner kick cleared just in front of the line by Sitali Mushumba.
Zambia kept on running down the flanks and held most of the ball possession as they forced an array of flag kicks that always looked dangerous.
India struggled to keep the ball at their feet and hardly created a threat throughout the first half.
In the 42nd minute from a Steven Dias flag-kick, Mahesh Gawli pulled back the ball to Sushil Singh who wasn't able to find the mark from inside the box in what was a half chance.
A few minutes earlier, Karanjit Singh kept his side from conceding the second goal in the first session of play when the India goalkeeper’s left glove was enough to keep out Felix’s pile-driver.
Crossing over, Savio Medeira hoped for some creativity in the midfield with the introduction of Climax Lawrence and Francis Fernandes, while sending out Joaquim Abranches in front.
However, it was Zambia who stepped on the gas when Kangwa Evans intercepted a pass to find Sitali Joseph who latched on to the ball to double their lead in the 55th minute.
In response, Sushil tried to create and opening for Abranches, but Zambia custodian Banda Jacob was quick to come off his line to pick the ball ahead of the Indian striker.
Zambia kept earning corners, while disallowing their opponents on the counter, and bore fruits for the same in the 69th minute. Katongo Felix’s set-piece found substitute Musakanya Bruce Bwalya who rose to the occasion to make it 3-0.
Bwalya struck again, just three minutes later, as he followed up on his own effort that was stopped in its tracks by defender Gouramangi Moirangthem who wasn’t able to get back on his feet before the Zambian striker slotted the remains past Karanjit.
The icing on the cake for Zambia was provided by hat-trick hero Bwalya in the 90th minute when he nodded in Sitali’s cross from the right to extend their lead by five goals.
It could have been 6-0 had it not been for the post. Lungu Luka's shot came off the crossbar in the 87th minute. India keeper Karanjit looked a bit nervous in front of charging Luputa Alfred as he fumbled but eventually got a grip over the ball.
Besides some rare shots on target by India, Climax Lawrence’s effort was saved by Zambia keeper Banda Jacob in the 89th minute.
The win shall certainly boost Zambia’s confidence whereas India would wonder as to why did they play a higher ranked nation before entering a competition.
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