MAPUSA/BENAULIM: Tamil Nadu scored a resounding 12-0 win over Bihar to enter the semi-finals of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Junior National Girls Football Championship, at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Monday.
Striker Mariyammal B scored five goals while Ishwarya and Santhiyanv netted a brace each. Durga, Priyadarshini and Minnoliya were the other goal scorers.
Mariyammal handed a 14th minute lead for TN before Ishwarya doubled the tally within moments. Priyadarshan scored the third at the half-hour mark before Dhurga got on to the scoresheet in the 34th minute. Santhiyanv scored the fifth within two minutes as Ishwarya inflated the tally with another clean finish.
Tamil Nadu were all over rival territory and gave no scope for their opponents to get into the play.
Mariyammal scored two quick goals just before the breather to give her team a six-goal cushion at half-time. Changing over, Tamil Nadu scored four more goals to take the final tally to 12-0.
In the second quarter-finals played at Holy Trinity ground, Benaulim, Manipur registered a 4-1 win over Himachal Pradesh.
Himachal Pradesh took a surprise lead in the 21st minute from the spot through Kiran.
However, Manipur restored parity in the 27th minute through Babydolly Devi. Phijam Devi handed Manipur a 2-1 lead just before break.
Changing over, Babysana Devi completed her brace, netting the team’s third and fourth goals in a span of 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, Mizoram scored a late extra-time winner to register a 4-3 win over Jharkhand in the third quarter-finals.
The thrilling encounter between the two began with a bang as Sharda Kumari gave Jharkhand a first minute lead and soon doubled the tally at the quarter mark.
Jharkhand dominated the early moments of the game. But Mizoram pulled a goal back just before the break to keep their hopes alive.
Crossing over, Mizoram tried their level best to score and get into the game, however, they managed to do so only in the 85th minute through Grace.
On level terms, the teams ended 2-2 at the regulation time.
Mizoram looked to walk away winners when Lalruatfeli Kullai stunned Jharkhand camp in the 95th minute taking lead for the first time in the game.
However, there was plenty of drama left as Jharkhand’s never say die attitude saw them score the leveller through Asha Kumari. Mizoram finally scored the match-winner in the 110th minute through Lalnun Tluangi.
Meanwhile, West Bengal beat Odisha 1-0.
