Post News Network
Margao, Oct 21: Orissa finished runners-up in the U-18 Junior National Women’s Football Championship as they failed to break the jinx against a formidable Manipur, who routed Orissa 5-0 in the final here Wednesday.
Manipur, who have been performing well right since the beginning of the tournament, controlled the entire match from the first minute at the Rosay Complex ground, Navelim.
They scored the first goal in the sixth minute with Premi Chiru finding the back of the net. Orissa’s mid-fielders and defenders had a tough time against Manipur as they struggled to get control over the ball.
In the 12th minute, Manipur’s Ratanbala Devi scored as they took 2-0 lead. Manipur extended lead to 3-0 as S Ranjana Chanu with a fine header struck nine minutes later.
They kept building pressure on Orissa’s defence as players moved the ball around on both sides. Premi Chiru again scored as Manipur now led by 4-0 before going to the half-time.
In the second half, Orissa made good attempts to strike but were unable to score. Manipur’s Kashmina, who was the highest goal scorer in the tournament, scored in the 47th minute as Manipur extended their lead to 5-0.
Orissa were unable to match Manipur who lifted the trophy. Kashmina has scored 22 goals in the tournament. Goa Minister for Fisheries Avertano Furtado presented the trophy to the winning side. Goa MLA Benjamin Silva handed over the trophy and medal to the runners-up.
“We could not play to our potential. Manipur was clearly the better side today. They beat us in every department of the game. They scored early goals and put immense pressure on us. We just succumbed to the pressure and could not overcome the jitters of conceding early goals,” stated Orissa coach Gitanjali Khuntia.
