MARGAO
Pearl Fernandes delivered a stunning hat-trick as Goa triumphed over Himachal Pradesh with a resounding 7-0 victory in the 29th Senior Women’s National Football Championship for the Rajmata Jijabai Trophy at the TMK Arena, Panniyankara Stadium, Kerala, on Monday. Goa established a commanding lead of 5-0 by halftime.
Fernandes scored in the 3rd, 27th, and 60th minutes, while captain Pushpa Parab (11th minute), Aniela Baretto (16th minute), Sushmita Jhadav (33rd minute), and substitute Swellen Mercia Fernandes (77th minute) contributed to the scoreboard.
Goa’s attacking prowess was evident from the start, with Fernandes swiftly breaking through the left flank to net the opening goal. Despite their efforts, Himachal Pradesh struggled to create significant threats, while Goa's game plan effectively revolved around the dynamic Fernandes.
In the 10th minute, Fernandes played a crucial role in creating space, assisting Parab, whose powerful shot found the back of the net. A minute later, Fernandes scored her second goal by flicking the ball over an advancing Himachal goalkeeper. Jhadav then added to the tally with a well-placed shot in the 33rd minute.
The second half saw Fernandes complete her hat-trick with a stunning strike from the left side of the box, pushing the score to 6-0. Swellen Fernandes capped off the scoring with a goal in the 77th minute, sealing the victory at 7-0.
Head coach Remy Colaco praised his team’s performance, stating, “I am very proud of the team, especially their first-half display. We succeeded in scoring against Himachal Pradesh, and I’m pleased with how the players performed.”
Colaco expressed his gratitude to assistant coach Malvita Mascarenhas and team manager Reshma D’Souza for their contributions, which played a vital role in the team’s success. With this win, Goa secured top position in their group, having accumulated six points from two matches, while Himachal Pradesh remains without a point after two games.
