WIFA - The Western India Football Association

Maharashtra 2 – 1 Manipur

National Football Championship Under 15 girls – Barabati Stadium, Cuttack, Orissa

After the first defeat in the quarter finals group stage, this match was a must win for Maharashtra to keep the semi-final hopes alive. Maharashtra started with an unchanged squad.

Maharashtra:

GK Siddhi More

DF Toshita Yadav, Ella Dubey, Ark D’Silva, Ruchita Sonwane

MF Aishwarya Gadekar, Reva Sankhe, Reetika Sahani,  Shemchui Ningsheng

FW Bhagrashree Dalvi (C), Tricia Colaco

Maharashtra received a huge blow in the 9^th min of the match when Manipur striker scored from top of the box leaving no chance for the keeper. The Maharashtra team didn’t give up as yet and stuck to the task and pressed hard. In the 29^th min as Maharashtra were at it (pressing) Manipur custodians clearance was blocked well by Maharashtra’s Captain Bhagyashree Dalvi and she calmly put the ball at the back of the net to level the score 1-1.

With renewed hope and exuberance Maharashtra press harder and they were rewarded. In the dying minutes of the first half, Shemchui Ningsheng got the ball on the left flank and the left footed winger dribbled past two defenders cutting in towards the goal. It was just the keeper and her, she choose to dribble past her as well and managed roll the ball in for the winner.

In the second half both teams attacked well, Manipur more so in search of the equalizer. But the Maharashtra custodian Siddhi More was at it as she pulled off some great saves and 3 of them one on ones. With the keepers making some great save on both the ends the second half was goal less giving Maharashtra team much needed 3 pt to keep their semi hopes alive with 3 pts from 2 games. Next up for Maharashtra will be the girls from Jharkhand on the 19^th May.