FC Pune City, United Poona SA to clash in WIFA women’s final

Pune outfits, United Poona SA and FC Pune City took different routes to progress into the final of the WIFA Women's Football Championship, which is being conducted as part of the FIFA-AIFF State Development Project, at the Cooperage ground.

In semi-final encounters, United Poona took an early lead to snatch a hard-earned 10 win against Aadhar Pratishtan, Mumbai, while FC Pune City got the better of hot favourites Bodyline FC, Mumbai 8-7 via the sudden death penalty shootout tie-breaker after full time had finished in a 1-1 draw and 3-3 after the first set of five kicks. United Poona rocked the Pratishtan citadel in the very third minute when their consistent striker Pooja More scored from a snap effort against the run of play. Thereafter, the Poona club managed to hang on to their advantage to emerge victors and a place in the summit round.

Earlier, Bodyline did well to recover from early deficit, but flopped in the crucial and tense penalty shootout duel. FC Pune City took the lead through consistent scorer Pooja More before former junior international Karen Pais scored in the 24th minute to restore parity for Bodyline.

In the ensuing tie-breaker, the Pune club successfully converted through Gia Sundaram, Pooja More, Muriel Adam, Aishwarya Gadekar, Senorita Nogngpluh, Nikita Jadhav and Merlyn Adam, while Bodyline could only score through Aditi Shetty, Juhi Shah, Reetika Sahani, Ark D’Silva, Rhea Rodrigues and Valencia D’Mello.

Results – Semi-finals: United Poona SA, Pune 1 (Aishwarya Balapure) beat Aadhar Pratishtan, Mumbai 0.

FC Pune City 8 (Pooja More , TB: Gia Sundaram, Muriel Adam, Aishwarya Gadekar, Senorita Nogngpluh, Nikita Jadhav, Merlyn Adam) beat Bodyline SC 7 (Karen Pais, TB: Aditi Shetty, Juhi Shah, Reetika Sahani, Ark D’Silva, Rhea Rodrigues, Valencia D’Mello).