AIFF Media Team

MALDA/BERHAMPORE: Hosts West Bengal put one foot in the semi-finals of the Sub-Junior Girls' National Football Championship Tier 1 with a 6-0 win over Assam at the Berhampore Stadium on September 5, 2024.

After beating Delhi 4-0 on the opening day, Thursday's win maintained West Bengal's pole position in Group C, which means they now need only a draw against Chhattisgarh in the last match to qualify for the final four.

There was symmetry in West Bengal's win, with three goals in each half, and three players each scoring a brace. Malita Munda (32', 89'), Antara Dolui (39', 62') and Mousumi Khatun (45+1', 47') netted the goals for the hosts.

In the earlier kick-off, Delhi demolished Chhattisgarh 19-0 to open their account in the tournament. 16 of the 19 goals came from the boots of just two players - Srishti Kumari and Dhwani Bidada. The former scored nine goals (26', 29', 35', 37', 42', 47', 56', 67', 80'), while the latter pumped seven (12', 17', 44', 45+5', 49', 69', 75'). The other three goals were scored by Nitika (8'), Vedika (45+5') and Janya (89').

At the DSA Ground in Malda, Maharashtra edged past Punjab 2-1 to stay alive in Group D for now. Aria D'sa scored the winner for Maharashtra in the 88th minute after Aysha Sartape's opener (44') was cancelled out by Punjab's Joya (45+4').

Jharkhand's 4-0 win over Maharashtra in the first match still keeps them at top spot and as things stand, a point for them against Punjab on Saturday will be enough to take them through.