Football world reacts to Manisha Kalyan’s incredible free kick in AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026
Manisha Kalyan’s free-kick goal against Chinese Taipei goes viral globally.
Although India were knocked out of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 without registering a win, a moment of brilliance from Manisha Kalyan captured the attention of the footballing world.
The Indian forward scored a stunning long-range free kick goal against Chinese Taipei, a strike that quickly went viral across social media.
Fans, analysts and football pages from around the globe praised the quality of the finish, turning Kalyan’s wonder goal into one of the most talked-about moments of India’s campaign.
Global media praises Manisha Kalyan’s stunning free kick
Manisha Kalyan’s sensational free kick against Chinese Taipei did not just catch the attention of Indian fans but also earned praise from global football media.
Several international football pages and journalists highlighted the quality of the strike, applauding the technique, power and placement of the effort.
As clips of the goal spread across social media, many outlets described it as one of the standout moments of the tournament.
Fans compare Manisha Kalyan’s free kick to Juninho Pernambucano’s iconic strikes
Following the stunning free kick from Manisha Kalyan against Chinese Taipei, many fans on social media began drawing comparisons with Brazilian legend Juninho Pernambucano’s free kicks.
Known for his incredible technique and unpredictable knuckleball strikes, Juninho’s name quickly came among fans who felt Kalyan’s effort carried a similar dip, power and precision that made the Brazilian icon famous.
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Ayushman Sharma is a sports enthusiast with a deep love for football, following the game closely since 2018. A hardcore supporter of NorthEast United FC and FC Barcelona, he has also gained valuable on-ground experience by volunteering during FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in Guwahati.