The Goan Network
MARGAO
Manipur overcome Maharashtra 5-4 in an thrilling encounter of Group I league of National Junior Under 18 Girl's Football Championship at Panchayat Ground, Raia on Monday. Manipur led 4-2 at half time. The highlight of the day was a splendid hat-trick by N Ratanbala Devi.
Both the teams displayed attacking brand of soccer and kept the crowds on their toes. Manipur broke the deadlock in the very 9th minute when captain N Ratanbala Devi slotted past the rival goalkeeper with a snap shot. However, their joy was short-lived and in the 12th minute when Bhagyashree Davli neutralized the lead with a stiff grounder, stung by that equalizer, Manipur went into attacking mode and in the 18th minute Ratanbala struck second time to give her team a 2-1 lead. The lead spurred Manipur to mount tremendous pressure on the rival goal and in the 24th minute, Kashmina added her name to the scorers' list when she outwitted couple of defenders and placed the ball to the far corner of the net. Then it was the turn of international striker Ratnabala who registered her hat-trick when she punted the ball to the far corner of the net.
Unfazed, Maharashtra regrouped quickly and in the 39th minute, striker Bhagyashree Davli scored her brace when she punished the rival goalkeeper with a neat finish.
Post resumption, Maharashtra staged an improved performance with their forwards and midfielders working in tandem to put the rival defence into disarray.Skipper Pooja Dhamal who was in the thick of action beat her markers and bulged the net.Manipur 's Kashmina took charge and tormented the rival defence along the flanks and struck the second time to increase the margin in the 79th minute and made it 5-3 .With time running out, Maharashtra made a last-ditch effort and Jyoti Mehra reduced the deficit at the stroke of lemon break. Maharashtra will face Bihar on Ocotber 14 at Rosary ground, Navelim.
In another match at Rosary ground, Bihar edged past Jharkhand 4-3. Both the teams were tied 2-2 at lemon-break. In an evenly poised battle, both the teams adopted aggressive approach and had equal number of scoring opportunities. Bihar broke the deadlock in the very 6th minute when she outwitted a couple of defenders and beat the rival goalkeeper with a rasping shot. Jharkhand did not lag behind as they launched a barrage of attacks and their efforts bore fruit in the 18th minute when Purnimalinda put her team on equal terms. Stunned by the equaliser, Bihar instantly took the fight to the rival camp and in the 35th minute, Archana Kumari punished the Jharkhand goalkeeper with a snap shot to make it 2-1. Jharkhand created many openings and pushed their opponents on the back foot and in the 41st minute, Anamika Kumari restored parity.
The second half was played on an even keel and in the 48th minute, Puja Kumari rocked the rival citadel to give Jharkhand a 3-2 lead. With the match drifting towards Jharhand, Bihar pushed for an an equalizer and in the 85th minute, Shyama Rani fetched it for them. Both the teams pressed hard for the winner and Neha Kumari was in her elements and struck the match-winner in the injury time of the second half. Jharkhand will meet Manipur on October 14.
Playing today
Odisha v Mizoram, Raia Panchayat grounds, 7:30am
Delhi v Goa, Rosary Sports Complex, Navelim,7:30am
