AIFF Media Team

BERHAMPORE/MALDA: Jharkhand and Manipur will contest the final of the Sub-Junior Girls’ National Football Championship Tier 1 after progressing from their semi- finals against Bihar and West Bengal respectively on Monday, September 9, 2024.

Jharkhand beat Bihar in a penalty shootout after a high scoring encounter in the first semi final of the day. Bihar took the lead in the game when Rinki Kumari scored the opener in the 30th minute. Jharkhand hit back right before half time, Sabrina Kumari drawing them level in the 43rd. Kumari added a second in eight minutes into the second half to give Jharkhand the lead. Bihar weren't to be pegged back though, and equalised in the 61st, Kumari grabbing a brace of her own. After goalless extra time, the game went into a shootout, where Jharkhand goalkeeper Preety Tigga pulled off a save ater Bihar had missed another to take her team to the final.

Manipur beat West Bengal 5-2 in a deceptively hard fought game to progress to the final. Laitonjam Linthoi Chanu opened the scoring for them in the 11th minute and within two minutes, Thoudam Malemnganbi Devi had doubled the lead. West Bengal, not to be outdone, came right back with two goals either side of half time via Mousumi Khatun (44') and Malita Munda (49') to draw level. Linthoi Chanu's second in the 65th minute gave Manipur the lead for the final quarter of the game and from thereon, with West Bengal pushing for an equaliser they added two more in injury time to seal their spot in the final. 

Kerala, Goa & Odisha record big wins in Sub-jr Girls' NFC Tier 2 

NEEMUCH, MADHYA PRADESH: Kerala, Goa and Odisha were the big winners in the group stage encounter of the Sub-Junior Girls’ National Football Championship Tier 2 on Monday, September 9, 2024.

Kerala dominated Jammu & Kashmir in the opening Group B game of the day beating them 12-0. Four goals by KV Aaliya (1', 8', 22', 41') and a brace each by KR Sravanthi (6', 37') and MK Vani Sree (27', 65') helped Kerala to an emphatic win. 

In Group B's second game Goa beat Chandigarh 3-0. Siya Naik's hat trick (39', 84', 87') proved to be the difference between the two sides, where Chandigarh held on for a long while but were ultimately overwhelmed. 

Odisha beat Telangana 4-1 in Group D's lone game of the day. Laxmi Rani Kerai opened the scoring for Odisha in the 11th minute, who then extended their advantage via goals from captain Ritu Badaik in the 32nd and 55th minute. Telangana's Ananya K Bhattacharjee pulled one goal back  in the 76th minute, but Badaik's third, to complete her hat trick ensured Odisha completed an emphatic win.

Mizoram win big, Punjab hold hosts Karnataka in Sub Jr Boys Tier 1

BENGALURU: Mizoram were the big winners of the day from group stage games of the Sub-Junior Boys’ National Football Championship Tier 1 at the Bengaluru Stadium on Monday, September 9, 2024. 

Punjab held hosts Karnataka to a high scoring 2-2 draw in the opening game of Group A. CH Sakip gave Karnataka the lead with a 14th minute strike but Punjab came back right before halftime via captain Bhart Kumar. Kumar scored a penalty in the 63rd minute to give his side the lead. Substitute saved the hosts' blushes with an equaliser in the 74th minute.

In the day's second game Mizoram thrashed Odisha 9-1. Hat tricks by Nicholas Remruatfela (17', 20', 45'+4') and Jason Lalawmpuia (47', 51', 61', 80') set the tone for a dominant victory. 

Lakshadweep stun mainlanders in Sub-Jr Boys' NFC Tier 1

JORHAT, ASSAM: Assam and Lakshadweep were the winners from group stage games of the Sub-Junior Boys’ National Football Championship Tier 2 at the Jorhat stadium on Monday, September 9, 2024.

Hosts Assam beat Tamil Nadu in a five-goal thriller that was the first game of the day. Goals by Tamash Daimary (17'), Tanmoy Boruah (63') and an own goal in the 67th minute gave Assam the victory. Tamil Nadu's goals were scored by V Ajay Krishna (23') and MS Allwyn (90').

Lakshadweep beat Madhya Pradesh 2-0 in Group A's second game of the day. Captain Thoufeeque Ki was instrumental in the victory scoring two goals in the first half (20', 39') as his team took an important three points.