AGENCIES, CUTTACK: The State women’s team began their Senior National Women’s Football Championship on a positive note as they thumped Himachal Pradesh 7-0 in their opening league match played at Cuttack, Orissa on Thursday.
Karishma Shirvoikar continued her rich form at National platform as the striker smashed in five goals to help Goa beat the opposition by seven goals. Akshata scored a brace for Goa.
Goa didn’t take long to make their mark as they scored the first in just 15 seconds when Velanie played a long aerial ball to Alisha who then set up Karishma on goal, and the striker did what she does the best, as she slammed home from close to open the account for Goa.
Up by a goal, the team played possession play and tried to understand the game plan of the opposition before they buttressed the lead in the 20th minute when Anvica assisted Karishma for her second.
The third came in the 24th minute when Karishma caught the rival defence napping and made the best use of the opportunity to complete her hat-trick. Goa were dominating the play as Himachal Pradesh players were all at sea. Akshata scored the team’s fourth and her first in the 40th minute before Karishma scored the fourth just before the breather. Goa led 5-0 at the break.
The bad weather and poor ground conditions, due to the rains, made it difficult for Goa to carry on with their momentum as they had to restrict themselves with short passing as the water clogged ground made it difficult for the players. However, Goa still managed to score two more goals as Karishma and Akshata netted again for the winners.
“The team played a very good football. Karishma was outstanding and she was equally supported by the entire team. We had a very good first half but the bad ground conditions made it difficult for us in the second half. Overall a great match and good result. Now we shift our focus on the next game,” said Team Manager Anunsya Sunanda Baptista.
Goa next play Railways on September 22.
