Both Odisha and Delhi qualified for the semi-final form Group II as Goa bowed out of the championship having lost both their opening matches. Odisha play their final league match against Delhi on Friday to determine which team tops Group II. Earlier, Delhi thrashed Mizoram 7-4
The Goan Network
MARGAO
Odisha huffed and puffed to a 2-1 victory over hosts Goa to qualify for the semi-finals of Group II of Junior National Under 18 Girl's Football Championship at Rosary grounds, Navelim on Thursday. All the goals were scored in the first half.
Knowing, only victory will keep their hopes alive for the semi-final berth, the Goans made their attacking intentions clear from the word go. And their early intent paid dividends when midfielder Anline Fernandes picked up the ball from her own half and unleashed a snap shot which crashed into the nets.
Despite the setback, the Odisha lass kept pressing forward as Goa struggled to keep possession. Odisha having as many as 10 junior international in their ranks with Laxmi Munda, Arati Sethi and Anima Malik took control of the proceedings. They troubled the hosts with some forays. In the 18th minute, Sasmita Behera's pile driver gave no chance to Goa goalkeeper Rhea Fernandes to put her team on equal terms.
Odisha took control of the game and pressed for the match-winner, which came in the 36th minute when Swarna Priya Naik slotted past the rival goalkeeper with a snap shot.
Post resumption, hosts Goa looked reorganized and tried to string a few passes. But the inability to hold any shape denied them any chances.Captain Velanie Fernandes looked woefully out of form toady as she hardly made any impact on the rival citadel and were never given any room to maneuver inside their penalty box
At the other hand, Odisha created a couple of opportunities, looked better as they tried to keep the possession and controlled the midfield and their forwards spurned easy chances to increase their tally.
Strikers Sasmita Behera and Swarana Priya Naik were the fulcrum in her team attacks and gave a torrid time to the rival rearguard. Both Odisha and Delhi qualified for the semi-final form Group II
as Goa bowed out of the championship having lost both their opening matches. Odisha play their final league match against Delhi, who won earlier today, on Friday at 7:30am at Raia Panchayat ground to determine which team tops the Group II.
In another match, Delhi produced a terrific performance to beat Mizoram 7-4 at Panchayat ground, Raia. Delhi were leading 5-0 at the breather. Mariya Thehreen Khan scored four goals including hat-trick. Delhi stamped their authority early in the game and kept their opponents on their toes. Mariya Khan opened the floodgates in the 7th minute. Buoyed by the lead, Delhi lashed Mizoram with ripples of attack. Anushka Samuel doubled the lead in the 25th minute. Mariya Khan put the issue beyond doubt in the 33rd minute when she bulged the net to register her brace. Chetna Dhadwal inflated the tally in the 40th minute. Mariya Khan completed her hat-trick in the injury time to give her team 5-0 cushion.
Crossing over, Mizoram were a dominant lot with their forwards and midfielders working in tandem to put the rival defence under pressure .B Vanlalhriattiri manged to reduce the margin in the 50th minute. Unfazed, Delhi once again went into attacking mode and in the 65th minute Mariya Khan scored her fifth goal.Three minutes later, Offee Lalmingchhuanpui reduced the deficit.Ansuka Samuel unleashed a powerful shot which crashed into the net in the 87th minute to make it 7-2. Down by 2-7, Mizoram went all out in search of goals .Vanalhiriattiri struck second time in the 73rd minute to narrow down the margin. Lalchhanhimi reduced the margin in the 85th minute.Delhi trooped out worthy winners. With this win, Delhi booked their place in the semi-finals.
Scorebox
Odisha 2 (Sasmita Behera 18, Swarna Priya Nayak 36) beat Goa 1 (Anline S Fernandes 11); Delhi 7 (Mariya Tehreen Khan 7,33,45+1,65, Anushka Samuel 25,87, Chetna Dhadwal 40) beat Mizoram 4 (B Vanlalhriattiri 50,73, L Offee 68, Lalchhanhimi 85)
