AIFF Media Team

BELGAUM, KARNATAKA: Karnataka and Rajasthan storm through to the finals in the Junior Girls' National Football Championship Tier 2 after defeating Assam 5-3 and Sikkim 3-3 (4-3 in tie-breaker), respectively at the Sporting Planet Lovedale School Ground on Wednesday, August 7, 2024.

Karnataka broke the deadlock in the 15th minute with Ruthu Sreenandan finding the net. Assam swiftly responded with an equaliser from Ripa Rani Brahma in the 19th minute. Karnataka regained the lead in the 40th minute thanks to Maitreyi Palasamudram, ending the first half 2-1.

The second half saw a flurry of goals. Assam's skipper, Serbirika Terangpi, equalised in the 72nd minute. Karnataka's skipper, Advika Kanojia, quickly put her team ahead again in the 74th minute. Maitreyi Palasamudram added another goal in the 78th minute, and Tanvi Nair extended the lead for Karnataka further in the 89th minute. Despite a late effort from Assam's Arti Munda in the 90th minute, Karnataka emerged victorious with a 5-3 win.

Later, Rajasthan ensured a dramatic victory over Sikkim with a penalty shootout win after a thrilling 3-3 draw. Sanju Kanwar scored the opening goal for Rajasthan in the 3rd minute. Sikkim equalised in the 18th minute through Smeeta Sundas. Lichhmi Kanwar restored Rajasthan's lead in the 40th minute, making it 2-1 at halftime.

Smeeta Sundas struck again for Sikkim in the 55th minute and completed her brace in the 90+7 minute, taking the match into extra time. Rajasthan's Bhanu Priya scored in the 105th minute to level the game at 3-3. The match proceeded to penalties, where Rajasthan triumphed, scoring four goals to Sikkim's three, earning their place in the finals alongside Karnataka.

Karnataka and Rajasthan will clash against each other in the final on August 9, 2024.

Jharkhand book last four berth in Jr. Girls NFC Tier 1

ANANTAPUR, ANDHRA PRADESH: Jharkhand defeated Andhra Pradesh 3-1 to book their place in the semi-finals from Group A. Jharkhand scored a total of 31 goals in the group stage so far to become the winners with nine points. Skipper Anushka Kumari opened the scoring in the 30th minute.

Divyani Linda and Reena Kumari added two more to Jharkhand’s tally in the 38th and 85th minute. Tamatapu Aruna scored the only goal for Andhra Pradesh in the 81st minute. 

In the other Group A match, Bihar trounced Himachal Pradesh 20-0 to earn their first win in the concluding tie. Rubi Kumari (5’, 23’, 25’, 31’, 66’), Koshki Kumari (13’, 51’), Niki Kumari (33’,34’,37’, 76’, 90’), Riya Kumari (6’, 22’), Nayra (55’) and Shivani Kumari (47’, 85’, 86’, 90+1’) were the scorers. 

Delhi earn semi-final spot in style in Jr Boys' NFC for Dr. BC Roy Trophy Tier 1 

NARAINPUR, CHHATTISGARH: Delhi booked the last semi-final spot in the Junior Boys’ National Football Championship for Dr.BC Roy Trophy after they outclassed Maharashtra 4-1 in the concluding Group B match at the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama ground. The winners led 3-0 at half time.

With Nine points from three matches in their kitty, Delhi will now take on Bengal in the penultimate round battle on August 10. Odisha are already in the final. 

Delhi raced to a 2-0 lead by the 15th minute with Ebrahim Ali Khan netting the first goal in the 10th minute with a measured volley off a high ball from the right.  Five minutes later Dhishan Shabir made the best use of confusion in the Maharashtra goalmouth to double the lead and Mohammad Aimaan Bin made it 3-0 a couple of minutes before the end of the first half regulation period.

After the change of ends, Delhi added one more goal to their tally thanks to an own goal by Shaunak Samitha Chouta. Riddhiman Das pulled one back for Maharashtra in the 87th minute, but it was too late to make any further inroads in the Delhi goal.

In another Group B match, Goa bagged full points when they defeated Jharkhand 4-3 in a closely fought affair. While Casvino Fernandes (2), Yug Ramdas Palyekar and Macbert Lawrence Fernandes scored for Goa, Surender Tu and Manjit Das (2) were marksmen for Jharkhand, who lost all their three matches in the group. Both teams are out of contention.

Thursday, August 8, 2024 fixtures:

Jr Boys' Tier 1, Narainpur, Chhattisgarh

Group D: Bengal vs Chhattisgarh (8 am); Kerala vs Tamil Nadu (3 pm)

Junior Girls’ Tier 1 Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh

Group C: Tamil Nadu vs Kerala (9 am); Arunachal Pradesh vs Gujarat (3 pm)