AIFF Media Team
NARAINPUR, CHHATTISGARH: The semi-final line-up from Group A in the 29th Senior Women’s National Football Championship for the Rajmata Jijabai Trophy was completed at the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Ground on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
In the last two Group A matches played on Wednesday, Manipur, who already confirmed their berth in the last four, ended whatever hopes Tamil Nadu nurtured with a 2-1 win. It also paved the way for Odisha to take their place as the second team in the group.
In the other group match, which was of no consequence, Jharkhand routed Maharashtra 4-0.
Manipur dash Tamil Nadu’s hopes
Manipur 2 (Irom Prameshwori Devi 51’, 90’)
beat
Tamil Nadu 1 (Karthika Angamuthu 5’)
Tamil Nadu, needing a four-goal margin to secure qualification, started with intent and struck early in the 5th minute. Captain Karthika Angamuthu rose above the defence to meet a well-delivered corner, directing a precise header into the far post to give her team an early lead.
But that was all Tamil Nadu could do against the defending champions. The tide turned in the second half when Nongmaithem Ratanbala and Irom Prameshwori Devi combined brilliantly to unlock the defence. In the 51st minute, the duo orchestrated a seamless combination play down the right wing, with Ratanbala delivering a cross that Prameshwori finished with a powerful right-footed strike to level the score.
Prameshwori doubled her tally in the 90th minute, sealing the win in style. Spotting Tamil Nadu goalkeeper Sowmiya Narayanasamy off her line, she executed a superb right-footed scoop from outside the box, capping off a commanding performance for Manipur.
Jharkhand end campaign with a victory
Maharashtra 0
lost to
Jharkhand 4 (Divyani Linda 9’, Anita Kumari 45+2’, Amisha Baxla 72’, Sangita Hansdak 82’)
The victory over Maharashtra was Jharkhand’s second in the group and took them to six points, which however, wasn’t enough to propel them to the next stage. Nevertheless, Jharkhand had a good day in the office and led by two goals at half time.
Jharkhand took the lead with a goal by Divyani Linda in the 9th minute, capitalising on a Maharashtra defensive lapse. Their second goal came just before halftime with a finish by Anita Kumari.
Two more goals came through Amisha Baxla and Sangita Hansdak after the change of ends. Maharashtra completed their engagements without collecting a point as they lost all four matches.
Thursday’s fixtures (Group B): Railways vs Punjab (9 am); Haryana vs West Bengal (2.30 pm).
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