the goan I network
PANAJI
Goa girls got off to a flying start in the All India Football Federation Junior Girls National Football Championship as they trounced Tripura 3-1 in their inaugural match at Kolhapur on Saturday. Karen Estrocio scored a splendid hat-trick for the winning side while Anjali Debbarma scored a late consolation goal for Tripura.
“The girls had a beautiful game and they played well as a unit. Karen was outstanding on the field and she scored a brilliant hat-trick. I am positive and optimistic about getting a positive result in our next game on Monday,” said Goa coach Carol Fernandes.
Goa play Manipur in their next Group C match on April 22. Three-time winners Manipur also kicked off their campaign with three points, registering a 4-0 victory over Uttarakhand.
Goa started the match in attacking mode and pressed their opponents in their own half. Goa’s Fleni and Sujata controlled the midfield and the first goal came when Fleni played a pass to Karen, and the latter guided the ball into the net, 1-0.
Tripura couldn’t match Goa’s game plan as Goa used flanks as well as raided them from the open play. Goa were awarded a penalty when Karen was brought down in the box by the rival keeper and the lass herself stepped forward and coolly converted the penalty kick to score her second of the day. Goa led 2-0 at the breather.
Changing over, Goa almost scored their third wen Fleni tried her luck from distance but her shot hit the crossbar and went out of play. Karen completed her hat-trick when she guided home a Sujata cross from the left flank. Tripura managed to pull a goal back in the 89th minute through Anjali Debbarma. Goa had a chance to inflate their tally when they were awarded another penalty but Sujata’s effort hit the post.
Manipur also notched up a comfortable victory against a gritty Uttarakhand side. S Lynda Kom grabbed the first in the 20th minute while T Kritina Devi, N Priyangka Devi and H Shilky Devi all netted in the second half.
Meanwhile, the first encounter of the day saw Jharkhand rack up a comprehensive 21-0 victory over Jammu and Kashmir in Group A. Forward Sumati Kumari hit five goals in the game, while Astam Oraon, Anu Radha Kumari and Priya Kumari all picked up a hat-trick apiece.
In Group B, defending champions Tamil Nadu began their campaign with a comfortable 5-0 win over Madhya Pradesh. M Saritha opened the scoring for her side in the 21st minute and added a second just before half-time, with Mariyammal B recording a second-half brace and Priyadharshini S finding the net four minutes from time.
West Bengal picked up three points with a 1-0 win over Arunachal Pradesh in Group D, while in the other group game, Haryana started off their campaign with a 9-0 win over Karnataka, with Rajni Bala scoring four goals and captain Raveena finding the back of the net thrice.
