Hero Junior Girls NFC Quarterfinals: Gujarat ride on injury time goal to book Semifinals spot

The quarterfinals of the Hero Junior Girls’ NFC 2019-20 came to an end on Saturday (27 April, 2019) as Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat recorded victories against Odisha and Mizoram respectively at the Polo Ground in Kolhapur, Maharashtra.
HIMACHAL BREEZE PAST ODISHA
Himachal Pradesh became the third team to enter the semifinals after a rather comfortable 4-0 win over Odisha, who started off well but fizzled away after the first 10 minutes. Himachal skipper Anju should have put her team into the lead in the 11th minute as she missed from close range but just eight minutes later, Kiran gave them the lead after coolly slotting home a spot kick.
The side from north India continued to enjoy the better of the chances and doubled their lead in the 38th minute through Anju, who showed great skill to control a cross from the left, beat her marker and finish into the bottom corner.
Himachal continued their dominance in the second half as Manisha tripled her team’s advantage with an expertly-taken goal. In the 63rd minute, she received a through-pass with her back to goal and spun past the keeper to turn her inside out and score.
Nisha became the fourth scorer for Himachal in the 72nd minute as she rifled the ball home from the left flank with a rasping drive as the match ended 4-0 – the exact scoreline as the first two quarterfinals.
Feature Article: Limited game time hurting the growth of Indian footballers
GUJARAT ENTER SEMIS WITH LAST-GASP GOAL
In stark contrast to the first game of the day, the last quarterfinal between Gujarat and Mizoram was a cagey and physical affair that was played predominantly in the midfield.
The first half failed to provide any major chances, with Gujarat’s Shilpaben Thakor denying the opposition with a clearance off the goalline in the 29th minute. Mizoram custodian Lalhriatpuii produced a fine save from a long range effort at the stroke of half time, ensuring the scores remain level at the break.
The second period was also similar to the first, with both sides tussling to get past the other’s defences. As the match inched towards extra time, the deadlock was almost broken by Mizoram’s Ruth Vanlalpeki, whose shot from the top of the box came back off the post.
The game-changing moment, however, came in the fourth minute of injury time. Gujarat’s Ishita Matthew was allowed space down the right flank and flung in a looping ball into the box which found its way into the corner and gave her side the lead. In the last two minutes, they hung on for dear life and secured the victory as the match ended 1-0.
The semifinals are scheduled to take place on Monday (April 29, 2019). The lineup is as follows:
SF 1 – Jharkhand vs Gujarat (7.15 am)
SF 2 – Haryana vs Himachal Pradesh (4 pm)
Also Reads: GRIT to conduct Wellness Programs for sports professionals
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football.
10 man Air India hold HDFC to a 1-1 draw
With a player down and a goal down at the break, Air India rallied back brilliantly to hold HDFC to a draw in the MDFA Elite Division encounter (Corporate) played…
Hero U17 Womens Tri-nation Series
India U17 women’s team to play Tri nation series in Mumbai
India U17 Women’s team will play a Tri-nation series in Mumbai this December with Thailand and Sweden being the other two teams. The tournament is slated to run from December…
Last minute penalty from Dinesh Singh gives Century Rayon 2-2 draw against UBI
Century Rayon’s Dinesh Singh scored an added time penalty to salvage a hard fought 2-2 draw against UBI in MDFA Elite Division encounter here at Cooperage Stadium on Friday Playing…
2nd Division / Elite Division / MDFA
Karnatak SA down Mumbai City FC
Karnatak Sporting Association carved out a narrow 1-0 win against Mumbai City FC in an Elite Division encounter of the Rustomjee-MDFA League 2019-2020 and played at the Neville D’Souza ground,…
On World Football Day, PUMA signs national team captain Sunil Chhetri as their Brand Ambassador
Global sports brand PUMA today announced that Sunil Chhetri, captain of the Indian National Football team and Bengaluru FC signed with the brand. A captain, leader and a legend, he…
WIFA Women's Championship / WIFA Women's Football League / Women Football
Mhasi Khonuo Paunuo: Samuel FA’s Wonder Woman from Nagaland
Mhasi Khonuo Paunuo, a fascinating player who ran the show in the IWL-Preliminary Round Maharashtra Qualifiers turned 21 today. Mhasi belongs from the Falcon Captial of the World, Nagaland. One…
From Mizoram to Goa, Mapuia hopes for India call-up through Hero I-League performances
The far-eastern state of Mizoram has contributed much to the cause of Indian football in recent years. So much so, that Mizoram is now considered to be one of the…
FC Goa look to get back to winning ways in Hyderabad
FC Goa will be eyeing a vital win when they take on Hyderabad FC in a Hero Indian Super League clash at the GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium here on Sunday….
Indian Football Team / Women Football
India U17 Girls squad for the upcoming Tri-nation series announced, to play Sweden and Thailand
Mumbai will play host to upcoming U17 Women’s Football Tournament that will see India take on Sweden & Thailand, both powerhouses in the global women’s game India is all set…
FC Goa ride on Manvir Singh header to edge Hyderabad FC 1-0
Manvir Singh came off the bench to score the match-winner as FC Goa edged past Hyderabad FC 1-0 in the Hero Indian Super League clash at the GMC Balayogi Stadium…
Maurya Foundation to conduct trial for TDFA Senior Division League
Maurya Foundation has announced that they will be conducting trials for the upcoming Thane District football Association Senior Division league on 23rd & 24th November 2019. The trials will go underway…
Sportsfort Academy to host trials for age group 6-16
Mumbai based Sportsfort Academy to conduct trials for age groups category (U-6 to U-16) on 2nd and 3rd November. Sportsfort Academy is a high excellence and premium academy aimed at…
MDFA Elite side Kenkre Football Club to host trials for 2019-20 Season
Kenkre Football Club will host their trials for the 2019-20 season on 22nd and 24th of October 2019. Over the years, Kenkre Football Club has become one of the top…
Wadoo Football School to organize football trials for girls for MDFA & WIFA Women’s League
Wadoo Football School of Excellence will organize their football trials for girls. The academy is owned by former Indian footballer, Mr Mehrajuddin Wadoo. The trial is scheduled for creating a…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
Bank of India to conduct trials for upcoming season
MDFA Elite Division side Bank of India will be conducting trials for its upcoming 2019-20 season in Mumbai league football After suffering a disappointing campaign last season where the club finished…
Indian Women's League / Trials / Women Football
Baroda Football Academy to conduct trials for womens team
Baroda Football Academy to conduct trials for their women’s team to participate in upcoming U17 Women’s league and Hero IWL Formed in the year 2008 BFA – Baroda Football Academy…
MDFA / Trials / Women Football
Samuel Football Academy to host trials for Women’s Football Team, IWL and MDFA
Samuel Football Academy(SFA) will be conducting their selection trials for their Women’s Football team, the Indian Womens League(IWL), and MDFA League. Mr. Daryl Samuel has been heading the team operations…
Spanish side Cadiz FC to host their 2nd edition trials in India
Once in a lifetime opportunity for budding footballers in the town. A professional Spanish football outfit – Cadiz FC is set to conduct their second edition trials in India. Selected…
MDFA / Super Division / Trials
Newly promoted Spartans Football Academy to hold trials
Navi Mumbai based Spartans Football academy will conducting open trials for its upcoming 2019-20 Super as well as Elite Division campaigns The club recently gained promotion from MDFA 1st division…
MDFA / Super Division / Trials
MDFA Super Division: Indian Culture League (ICL) to conduct trials
India Cultureal League (ICL) will be holding trials for their senior team which would take part in the Super Division of M.D.F.A League The team will be playing under the…