MARGAO: Manipur stamped their authority as they grounded Bihar 12-0 in the quarter-finals of the ongoing Junior National Football Championship for Girl’s U-18, organized by Goa Football Association in Association with All India Football Federation, at Raia Panchayat ground, Raia, on Friday.
Manipur jumped into the lead with W Ranjibala Devi scoring in the fourth minute. Bihar tried valiantly to control the Manipur offense briefly for a few minutes before Manipur went on a goal scoring rampage dashing all hopes of a possible Bihar comeback.
Manipur although missing their star forward N Ratanbala Devi for the second match in a row did not deter one bit and H Daya Devi filled in her shoes to perfection. The Manipur forwards Kashmina and H Daya Devi scored nine goals between them with H Daya Devi scoring in the 31st, 32nd, 78th, 85th, 90+3rd and Kashmina scoring in the 30th, 34th, 43rd and 58th minutes.
Left flank playmaker S Ranjana Chanu scored a goal in the 86th minute and captain Y Hemolata Devi scored in the 37th minute.
In another match, Maharashtra registered an impressive 5-2 victory over Jharkhand, at Rosary Sports Clomplex, Navelim.
Bhagyashree Dalvi was the ultimate star of the match as she scored four goals for Maharashtra in the 38th, 55th, 56th and 85th minutes to take the game away from Jharkhand. Bhagyashree was supported very well by the key Maharashtra play-maker Smriti Girish, who was instrumental in driving the team forward and created numerous goal scoring opportunities.
It was Jharkhand who started off well and dominated play in the early proceedings and took the lead with a goal by Purnima Linda in the 20th minute. Sejal Nakhawa equalized for Maharashtra in the 30thminute and the game was back in Maharashtra’s control.
Maharashtra’s midfielders worked very well in unison and VK Sruthilakshmi, Nikita Jadhao and Zarastyn Mistry distributed the ball well on both sides of the pitch.
Bhagyashree Dalvi put Maharashtra ahead in the 38th minute.
Changing sides, Maharashtra took full control and Bhagyashree Dalvi scored two quick goals to give Maharashtra a 4-1 lead.
Jharkhand pulled one goal back in the 65th minute with Dolly Kumari finding the back of the net to trim the lead to 4-2. Jharkhand seemed pumped up with the second goal and strived hard to move forward but Maharashtra stood firm and got their fifth goal in the 85th minute with Bhagyashree again scoring a fine goal to seal the deal against Jharkhand for an impressive final score victory of 5-2.
