WIFA Women’s Football League: Sasmita strikes three as PIFA kick off title defence in style

by Chittu Shetty August 13, 2022

Match 2 of the WIFA Women’s Football league saw, defending champions PIFA Sports kicking off their campaign in style with a 5-0 win over Puneri Warriors

The defending champions PIFA’s intentions were quite clear as they looked to be dominating the match in the opening minutes of the game. PIFA’s star striker Sasmita Behera kicked off the proceeding with a goal right in the third minute of the game, latching on to a brilliant low pass from the left wing before tapping it past the keeper.

A few minutes later, a corner attempt was cleared off by Puneri’s defense but only as far as Bhagyashree Dalvi whose goal-bound strike was well saved by Mrunal More. At the other end, Puneri Warriors tried to work on counter-creating a couple of half chances but were kept quiet by a resolute PIFA defensive quartet of Payal, Dipika, Anita, and Zarastyn.

At the other end, PIFA doubled the lead after a well-worked goal by Sasmita again as she dribbled her way into the box beating two defenders before striking it past the keeper. At the halftime break, PIFA looked well in control of the game with a 2-0 lead.

PIFA started the second half in the same way they ended the first half, keeping the ball and moving it around well. Puneri soon grew into the game as they started keeping the ball well but around the hour mark, PIFA broke out with a counter-attack, but Akanksha Khandalkar was fouled right outside the penalty box.  Akanksha struck a powerful freekick but the Puneri goalkeeper Mrunal was well positioned to make a save.

A few minutes later, PIFA made it 3-0 after a ball from the right wing was slotted home easily by an unmarked Diti Kanungo. Four minutes later, PIFA made it 4-0, from a short corner routine where a cross from the left fell for substitute Trupti Deep who slotted home from close range.

As the game progressed to its final moments, a long ball over the top of the Puneri defense line was latched on to by Sasmita as she did well to control the ball before proceeding to chip the ball over the keeper to complete her hattrick.

Full time: Puneri Warriors 0 – 5 PIFA Sports (Sasmita Behera 3’, 28’, 80’, Diti Kanungo 66’, Trupti Deep 70’)

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