MARGAO: Manipur thumped Odisha with a convincing 5-0 victory in the final to emerge champions in the Junior Football Championship for Under-18 Girls organised by Goa Football Association in association with All India Football Federation at Rosary Sports Complex, Navelim, on Wednesday.
A brilliant strike by Premi Chiru gave Manipur the lead in the very 6th minute of play. The Manipur team boasting of 10 International players dominated the proceedings from the kick-off whistle of referee Maria Rebello.
Manipur displayed a very attacking football game and circulated the ball well among its team-mates. The Manipur team was offensive and always on the lookout to score again. N.Ranjibala Devi scored a rapid fire goal in the 12th minute to give Manipur a commanding 2-0 lead.
Again Manipur scored 3-0 through S. Ranjana Chanu’s grounder in the 21st minute. Again Manipur scored 4-0 through Premu Chiru off snap shot in the 34th minute.
The second half saw a lot of mid-field action with Odisha pressing hard to pull at least a goal back led by their forward Jasmani Samad but she shot wide in 35th minute.
The Manipur mid-fielders Omita Chanu, Hemolata Devi, Premi Chiru and Ranjana Chanu kept control of the ball and thwarted the moves of Odisha strikers.
Manipur scored the fifth goal through Kashima’s powerful ground shot in the 43rd minute off a pass by Premu Chiru.
Individual prizes were awarded to highest scorer Kashima (Manipur), best promising player of the tournament to Prena Negi (New Delhi) and outstanding performance to Jasmani sanad.
Minister for Labour, Fisheries and Rural Development Authority Avertano Furtado was the chief guest and gave away the prizes to the winners and runners-up in the presence of guest of honour MLA of Velim Constituency Benjamin Silva.
Manager, Women AIFF Indu Choudhary and Coach India Women Sajid Dar were special invitees.
Individual prizes were awarded to highest scorer Kashima (Manipur), best promising player of the tournament to Prena Negi (New Delhi) and outstanding performance to Jasmani Sanad.
GFA President Elvis Gomes welcomed and Juliana Colaco proposed the vote of thanks while Peter compered.
