WIFA Women’s Inter District Football: Pune edge Buldhana on Penalties to lift trophy

by Chittu Shetty June 25, 2019

In the final of WIFA Inter-District Women’s Championship, Pune played Buldhana in a thrilling contest at Jalgaon. After both the sides failed to score in the normal time, Pune defeated Buldhana 3-1 on penalties to lift the title and end their campaign on a superb note.

Pune 0(3)-0(1) Buldhana
(Pune won in Penalty)

The match stared off with Pune’s Jersey no 4 got injured in the very beginning of game. Earlier in first half there were some close chances for both the sides but neither side could break the deadlock. In second half Pune had number of chances to take the lead but Nikita Jadhav marshaled Buldhana’s defence like a wall and played a key role in keeping the score 0-0. After extra time, the game went to tiebreaker where Pune’s GK Anjali Barke once again stole the show with couple of saves that helped Pune to clinch the victory over Buldhana to become first time champions.

Though Pune and Buldhana had to go through the penalty shootout in order to defeat their counterparts, it was a brilliant performance to eliminate two of the likeliest finalists. When both these sides faced earlier today, it became a historic moment for both these districts that were playing each other for the very first time in the final.

Throughout the game, Pune and Buldhana defended superbly. Both sides played warily knowing that conceding an early goal could turn out to be fatal. At the full-time whistle, the score was still tied at 0-0 as the match headed towards the ultimate showdown, penalty shootout.

For Pune, Murial Adam, Shweta Borude and Sana Shaikh managed to convert their spot kicks while only Dipsika Hiwale could convert for Buldhana.

Watch the highlights of the Penalty shootout

Best moments of the game:

Player of the tournament: Sonali Chemte

Goalkeeper of the tournament: Anjali Barke

Best Defender: Nikita Jhadav

Top scorer of the tournament: Pratiksha Mithari (6 Goals)

Player of the final match – Dipika Hiwale (Buldhana)

For fixtures and news updates on WIFA Women’s Inter District Football: Click here

For Trial related updates: Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football

Also Read: WIFA Women’s Inter District Football: Mumbai knocked out, lose to Gondia on tie-breaker

Also Read: More time would have benefited us: George Lawrence, Coach of Mumbai Womens Inter District team

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