State eves in semis
Maharashtra’s (WIFA) women team maintained their impressive run of form and put up a gallant display to share honours with Sikkim in the last league match of the AIFF Senior Women's National Football Championship, at the EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode, on Friday.
The scoreline of 1-1 against a formidable side assured them a place in the last eight of the championship. They take on Mizoram who topped Group-G for a place in the semifinal on Sunday.
Striker Trupti Deep scored for the state women, before Sikkim scored the equaliser through Suju Hangma Limbo to share the spoils and points.
Both Maharashtra and Sikkim finished with seven points. But Maharashtra with a better goal-differential of + eight as compared to their rivals + seven saw them topped the group and qualify for the quarter-finals.
Both, Maharashtra and Sikkim showed positive intent and opted to play an open attacking game and there was plenty of goalmouth action at either end but the scoreboard stayed blank at the end of the first half.
Maharashtra’s dashing striker Trupti Deep found the net off a Akanksha Kandalkar assist in the 62nd minute to bring cheer in their camp. However, Maharashtra was unable to hold on to the lead with Sikkim hitting back five minutes later.
Trupti was later adjudged the ‘Player of the match’.
WIFA drub MP 3-0
Maharashtra (WIFA) men’s team launched their campaign on a bright note beating Madhya Pradesh 3-0 in a Group-B league match of the West Zone qualifier for the AIFF senior men’s National Football Championship, at the Poornima University ground, Jaipur.
Maharashtra will clash with hosts Rajasthan in the concluding group match on Sunday. A win will confirm Mahrashtra’s qualification to the next phase of the competition.
Satya in semis
Defending champions Satya Vijaya Sports Club advanced to the semi-finals defeating Mogaveera Sports Club 3-2 via the tie-breaker, in the quarter-final of the Karnatak Sporting Association (KSA) organised 14th Adv. A.R. Kudrolli Memorial Knockout Football Tournament at the KSA ground, Cross Maidan.
The teams failed to break the deadlock and penalty shootout was enforced.
In the tie-breaker, Satya Vijaya successfully scored through Tushar Poojary, Joshua Jadhav, and Nikhil D'Souza, while Mogaveera managed to convert just two through Praneel Mendon and Sumedh Kandala.