the goan I network
MARGAO
Manipur squandered chances aplenty but still managed to record an authoritative 4-1 win over Himachal Pradesh and march into the semi-finals of the Junior Girls National Football Championship at Holy Trinity ground, Benaulim on Monday. In another match at the same venue, Mizoram beat Jharkhand 4-3 in extra time to also advance to the semi-finals.
Manipur dominated in the opening session, waltzing into the rival area at will. However, Manipur’s finishing left a lot to be desired. Himachal broke the stalemate in the 21st minute when Kiran converted a spot kick after a rival defender fouled a Himachal striker and the referee awarded the spot kick.
In the 27th minute, Leeimapokpam Baby Dolly Devi neutralised the lead when she punted the ball to the far corner of the net off an assist from Yumnam Paushparani Chanu. The equalizer boosted Manipur lasses as they toyed the rival defence with more attacks. Manipur’s Phiijam Sanathokpi Devi unleashed a snapshot beating the rival goalkeeper hands down in the 31st minute to put them in the lead.
Post resumption, Manipur enjoyed the lion’s share of exchanges with their forwards missing out on sitters. Manipur’s Baby Dolly Devi, Phijam Sanathoki Devi and Baby Sana Devi all missed chances, with Thingbaijam Leimapokpam Devi and Baby Sana Devi guilty of missing out on easy goals. Despite the lack of finishing, Manipur still managed to put the issue beyond doubt in their favour when Thingbajam Baby Sanna punished the rival goalkeeper with a clinical finish in the 64th minute. Sanna Devi rounded the tally with a brace in the 78th minute after a rival defender fouled her inside the rival territory and the referee awarded a spot kick.
Manipur coach Rajesh Meetei said after the match, “There was a marked difference in quality between the two sides but the scoreline does not reflect it.”
Mizoram edge Jharkhand
Mizoram beat Jharkhand 4-3 in extra time after being tied 2-2 at full time. Jharkhand more than played their part in an entertaining quarter-final, but it was Mizoram’s energy that produced a thrilling match.
Jharkhand went into the game as hot favourites and scored in the first minute when striker Sharda Kumari scored giving no chance to rival goalkeeper Hmingthan Sangi. Sharda scored another goal to give her team a 2-0 lead in the 15th minute.
Having conceded two goals, Mizoram started dominating the proceedings and in the 41st minute Grace Lalrampari converted a spot kick, sending rival goalkeeper Guddu Kumari the wrong way. Lalnun Siami restored the parity for Mizoram 2-2 (45+3 min).
In the second half, Mizroam worked on a plan to catch the Jharkhand girls off-guard on counter attacks. Thereafter the game went into extra time and Lalruatefi Kullai scored in the 95th minute. In the 110th minute Mizroam scored and then substitute Lalnun Tluangi scored the
winner.
