This follows Maharashtra’s clinical title-winning run at the Dr. Talimeren Ao Junior Girls National Football Championship 2025–26 (Tier 2).

The selected players-Aanshi Khanna (Thane), Aysha Sartape (Thane), Sharvari Mane (Pune), Tanishka Deore (Pune), Anisha Nadar, and Ipshita Gawari-will join India’s premier high-performance center. Additionally, Khanna, Sartape, Mane, and Deore have earned call-ups to the India U-17 Women’s National Team camp as the nation prepares for the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 in China.

A Dominant Campaign

Maharashtra’s road to the trophy was defined by resilience and attacking flair. Drawn in Group D, they opened with a pulse-pounding 3-3 draw against Mizoram, where Aanshi Khanna netted a brace. They quickly found their rhythm in the second match, a 2-0 win over Madhya Pradesh featuring a strike from Sharvari Mane.

With qualification on the line, Maharashtra unleashed a scoring masterclass against Himachal Pradesh, winning 14-0. Skipper Aysha Sartape led the charge with five goals, supported by clinical finishes from Khanna and Mane. This momentum carried them through the knockout stages, defeating Punjab 1-0 in the semi-final and overwhelming Uttar Pradesh 4-1 in the final to lift the trophy.

The Academy Call-up

While the national team camp recognizes immediate international potential, the selection of Anisha Nadar and Ipshita Gawari alongside the core quartet for the AIFF-FIFA Talent Academy highlights the long-term depth of this squad. The academy, a joint venture between FIFA and the AIFF, provides world-class coaching and sports science aimed at developing the next generation of professional stars.

• ⁠Individual Honors: Sharvari Mane’s relentless consistency throughout the tournament earned her the Best Player of the Tournament award.
• ⁠The Backbone: Tanishka Deore’s composure between the sticks and the defensive solidity provided by Ipshita Gawari and Anisha Nadar were pivotal to Maharashtra’s defensive record in the knockout rounds.
• ⁠A Notable Absence: Despite the wave of selections, striker Aarnaa Sindhav-Maharashtra’s top scorer who found the net in four out of five matches-narrowly missed out on the national call-up, though her performance remains one of the highlights of the tournament.

With India having already secured qualification for the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 with a perfect record, these young footballers are now entering a high-performance environment that could see them represent the Blue Tigresses on the continental stage. The inclusion of six players in the Telangana academy is a testament to the thriving grassroots ecosystem in Maharashtra.

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Also Read: MYJ Continue Perfect Start with a Commanding Win

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A product of the Rani Laxmi Bai Sports academy in the district Siwan in Bihar, Ranki has so far scored eight goals in two matches. On Wednesday, she destroyed Gujarat almost singlehandedly, scoring all the five goals.

Bihar, who led 1-0 at half time, have so far scored 15 goals in the tournament, without conceding one. With six points from two matches, they are now strong contenders for a place in the semi-finals.   

In another Group B match, Karnataka proved too good for Meghalaya and won 6-1. Derrin Treesa Sumesh was the leading scorer for the winners with three goals. Pratiksha (2) and Nida Shekih were the other scorers. Meghalaya’s lone goal came through Shirley Nongkhlaw Marbaniang.   

In Group A, in Malda, Manipur notched up their second consecutive victory defeating Tamil Nadu 7-2 after trailing 1-2 at the breather. While Chingkhamayum Redima Devi and Laitonjam Linthoi Chanu scored two goals each, Laishram Rani Devi, Thoudam Malemnganbi Devi and Dasila Senjam were the other scorers. Sahana K and S Dharshini struck both goals for Tamil Nadu in the first half.

The Group A witnessed another high-scoring match as Haryana were runaway 9-0 winners over Mizoram. The bulk of the scoring was done by Nidhi, who found the mark five times. Revika and Sonia scored two each to complete the rout.  

Also Read: Myngken Christian Higher Secondary School, Meghalaya Overcome Defending Champions Govt. Model Senior Secondary School, Chandigarh in 63rd Subroto Cup Junior Boys

Also Read: ISL 2024-25: Coaches Share Insights and Ambitions Ahead of New Season

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Despite being reduced to 10 players after centre-back Sarangthem Alena Devi’s red card as early as the 18th minute, Manipur rode on goals from Lourembam Menaka Devi and Remi Thokchom on either side of half-time to win their record-extending 11th Junior Girls’ NFC trophy. For Jharkhand, it was their second runners-up finish, after losing to Himachal Pradesh in the 2019-20 final.

The opening goal came in the 36th minute when Longjam Nira Chanu found Menaka with a through ball. The India U19 international dribbled past two defenders before beating goalkeeper Surajmuni Kumari in a one-on-one situation.

Menaka then turned provider for the second goal as she smartly picked out substitute and fellow India U19 teammate Remi Thokchom’s run between the Jharkhand centre-backs. Remi poked the ball past Surajmuni to make it 2-0 for Manipur.

Jharkhand XI: Surajmuni Kumari (GK), Rina Toppo, Elizabed Lakra, Viksit Bara, Alka Indwar, Divyani Linda, Anushka Kumari (C), Shaulina Dang, Elijabed Ekka, Reena Kumari, Anamika Sanga (Swati Khoya 46′).

Manipur XI: Sharubam Anika Devi (GK), Tabitha Khaidem, Yumlembam Sagarika Chanu, Nameirakpam Arina Devi (C), Longjam Nira Chanu, Lourembam Menaka Devi (Aganina Wahengbam 90+3′), Chingakham Alina, Sarangthem Alena Devi, Konthoujam Helena Devi (Remi Thokchom 15′), Sorokhaibam Lakhipiyari Devi (Phanjoubam Abema Devi 46′), Ningthoujam Olivia Chanu.

Also Read: Manolo Márquez names 26 probables for Intercontinental Cup preparatory camp

Also Read: Sri Lanka and Minerva Public School win big on Day 2 of the 63rd Subroto Cup Sub-Junior Boys

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Ranjana’s “fault” was participating in a district-level football tournament where she was adjudged the best player. As she proudly reached home, all she received on her smiling face was a few mighty slaps. Her father tore off the certificate and warned her of dire consequences if she played football in the future.

Ranjana pleaded for justice but received none. A couple of months later, Ranjana was hurriedly married off so that she didn’t get hooked on a sport that girls play in “indecent” outfits.

But then, Ranjana was not the only girl, who suffered a similar fate. There were many in the village, whose footballing ambitions were nipped in the bud by their parents.

But things do change as lilies bloom within the sedge. The parents in the financially backward village are now not too reluctant to allow their daughters to play serious football. The change in the atmosphere has done wonders—this season, a dozen girls from the Dhingsari village were proud members of the Rajasthan squad, who recently won the Junior Girls’ National Football Championship 2024-25 Tier 2 and qualified for Tier 1 next season. In the final, Rajasthan defeated Karnataka, considered one of the powerhouses of Indian football.

Vikram Singh Rajvi, a former first-class footballer and son of former India captain Magan Singh, who runs an academy named in his legendary father’s name, says it wasn’t easy to force the turnaround.

“Most of these girls were either herding goats or working on the farmlands as daily wagers from their childhood and were expected to get married before they turned 12. We tried for years and could finally make them understand the importance of playing football. We run the academy for free; we don’t even charge a penny. Even our academy isn’t equipped with the best of facilities. The parents have now realised that football can offer their daughters a brighter future; the girls are convinced that football is their window to freedom,” said Vikram, who spends a large amount of money from his Indian Railways salary to keep the academy running.

Dileep Singh Shekhawat, the honorary secretary of the Rajasthan Football Association, said: “This is Rajasthan’s first major win in 60 years. The last title we won was the Junior National Football Championship for the BC Roy Trophy in 1964 in Ajmer.

“In this team, 12 of the 23 girls are from Dhingsari village in Bikaner. We will do our best for the entire squad. We will approach the authorities so that the girls get jobs in sports quota in different government organisations,” said the Rajasthan secretary.

It has been an incredible journey in the last few years, a hair-raising experience at times, said Vikram. “There is one girl, who belongs to an extremely poor family. I was so impressed by her skills that I decided to take care of her needs. The girl’s family agreed. In the Tier 2 NFC, she played a major role in Rajasthan’s triumph.

“Good that people in our area have now realised the importance of women’s football. Several facilitation functions were organised in honour of the team. They received some cash awards, too. I hope the girls will be given jobs and other facilities so that more girls come forward to play the beautiful game,” said Vikram.

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The last time Rajasthan bagged a trophy was in 1964, defeating Assam in the final of the Junior Boys’ National Football Championship for the Dr. BC Roy Trophy in Ajmer.

In a well-contested encounter, a fine volley by Manju Kanwar and two well executed free-kicks by skipper Sanju Kanwar made all the difference as Rajasthan picked up three goals against Karnataka’s one to emerge triumphant.

In a match in which Karnataka initially held a slight edge, Rajasthan shot ahead in the 23rd minute when striker Manju Kanwar found the target with a measured volley, for which Karnataka goalkeeper Prayukta Arya had no answer.

The second goal was the result of a cleverly taken free-kick by Manju Kanwar in the 36th minute that sailed over the goalkeeper’s head to help Rajasthan consolidate the lead.

Despite the first half setbacks, Karnataka didn’t look a beaten lot and attacked regularly to pull one back in the 63rd minute. As the Rajasthan goalkeeper Munni failed to collect a ball cleanly, Ruthu Sreenandan was quick to push in from close.

But what probably took the fight out of Karnataka was the third goal by Rajasthan, another product of a free kick taken by Manju Kanwar. Prayukta Arya was well positioned to collect the ball, but it slipped out of her hands at the last moment to roll into the goal.  

In the group league, Rajasthan defeated Maharashtra, Tripura and Pondicherry before beating Sikkim in tie-breaker in the semi-finals.

Manipur and Telangana enter Jr. Boys’ NFC Tier 2 final

NAGAON, ASSAM: Manipur secured their spot in the final defeating Arunachal Pradesh 3-1, while Telangana advanced with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Jammu and Kashmir in the semi-finals of the Junior Boys’ National Football Championships for the BC Roy Trophy, Tier 2 at the Nurul Amin Stadium in Nagaon, Assam, on Friday, August 9, 2024.

Arunachal Pradesh took an early lead with Hanu Tari scoring in the second minute, which remained the only goal of the first half. However, Manipur turned the game around in the second half. Mansur Alam equalised in the 70th minute, followed by Arish Khan’s goal in the 76th minute, putting Manipur ahead. Mansur sealed the victory with his second goal in the 90+2’ minute, making the final score 3-1.

In the other semi-final, Telangana’s Aditya A led his team to victory by scoring twice, once in each half, with goals in the 40th and 52nd minutes, securing their place in the final.

The final between Manipur and Telangana will be played on August 11, 2024. 

Saturday, August 10, 2024 fixtures:

Narainpur, Chhattisgarh

Jr Boys’ NFC for Dr. BC Roy Trophy Tier 1

Semi-Final: Delhi vs West Bengal (2.30 pm)

Jr Girls’ Tier 1, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh

Semi-Final: Jharkhand vs Tamil Nadu (3 pm)

Also Read: Punjab FC posts comfortable win over Mumbai City, Kerala Blasters qualify for knockouts

Also Read: Assam and Manipur Schools Complete Last Eight of 63rd Subroto Cup Junior Girls

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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)

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The Tier 1 of the Dr. BC Roy Trophy will be played in Narainpur, Chhattisgarh, from July 27 to August 12. The venue and dates for the Tier 2 will be announced later.

The Tier 1 of the Junior Girls’ National Football Championship will be played in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, from August 3 to 20. Tier 2 is at Belgaum, Karnataka from July 27 to August 9.      

AIFF Acting Secretary General Mr. M Satyanarayan said before the draw, “This is perhaps the first time a draw ceremony is being conducted in the Football House without late Anil Kamat. Anil sir, who passed away early this month, played an integral role in shaping the Competition Department. It is with a heavy heart that we progress without him.” Late Anil Kamat was the Assistant General Secretary and Director of Competitions for many years before he passed away on June 4, 2024. 

“We, at the AIFF, have worked extensively to establish a calendar for Indian football. While it is difficult to follow the calendar very strictly with so many variables, I am pleased to say that we have been able to follow it closely with regards to the junior NFCs,” said the AIFF Acting Secretary General.

The BC Roy Trophy Tier 1 will see 16 teams divided into four groups with the group winners progressing to the semi-finals. The BC Roy Trophy Tier 2 will have 19 teams divided into four groups – three groups with five and one group with four – with the group winners progressing to the semi-finals.

The Junior Girls’ NFC Tier 1 will have 16 teams equally divided into four groups and the four group winners will move to the semi-finals. The Junior Girls’ NFC Tier 2 will have 18 teams divided into four groups – two groups with five teams and two with four – and the four group winners will move to the semi-finals. 

The 2023-24 edition of the BC Roy Trophy Tier 1 saw Uttar Pradesh being champions in Bhubaneswar and Delhi winning the Tier 2 title in Jabalpur.

Manipur were crowned champions of the Junior Girls’ NFC Tier 1 in Bhubaneswar, and Goa being the winners of Tier 2 in Jaipur. 

The groupings for the Junior Boy’s National Football Championship, Tier 1 –

Group A – Uttar Pradesh, Mizoram, SAI, Odisha

Group B – Jharkhand, Goa, Maharashtra, Delhi

Group C – Punjab, Chandigarh, Meghalaya, Karnataka

Group D – West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu

Fixtures:

Group A:

July 27: Uttar Pradesh vs Odisha; Mizoram vs SAI

July 29: Odisha vs Mizoram; SAI vs Uttar Pradesh

July 31: Uttar Pradesh vs Mizoram; SAI vs Odisha

Group B:

August 3: Jharkhand vs Delhi; Goa vs Maharashtra

August 5: Delhi vs Goa; Maharashtra vs Jharkhand

August 7: Jharkhand vs Goa; Maharashtra vs Delhi

Group C:

July 28: Punjab vs Karnataka; Chandigarh vs Meghalaya

July 30: Karnataka vs Chandigarh; Meghalaya vs Punjab

August 1: Punjab vs Chandigarh; Meghalaya vs Karnataka

Group D:

August 4: West Bengal vs Tamil Nadu; Chhattisgarh vs Kerala

August 6: Tamil Nadu vs Chhattisgarh; Kerala vs West Bengal

August 8: West Bengal vs Chhattisgarh; Kerala vs Tamil Nadu

Semi-finals:

August 3: Winners Group A vs Winners Group C

August 10: Winners Group B vs Winners Group D

Final: August 12

The groupings for the Junior Boy’s National Football Championship, Tier 2–

Group A – Nagaland, Andaman & Nicobar, Manipur, Lakshadweep, Haryana

Group B – Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Tripura, Jammu & Kashmir, Gujarat

Group C – Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Assam

Group D – Rajasthan, Pondicherry, Bihar, Telangana

The groupings for the Junior Girls’ National Football Championship, Tier 1 –

Group A – Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar

Group B – Manipur, Goa, West Bengal, Haryana

Group C – Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat

Group D – Odisha, Mizoram, Delhi, Chhattisgarh

Fixtures:

Group A:

August 3: Jharkhand vs Bihar; Andhra Pradesh vs Himachal Pradesh

August 5: Bihar vs Andhra Pradesh; Himachal Pradesh vs Jharkhand

August 7: Jharkhand vs Andhra Pradesh; Himachal Pradesh vs Bihar

Group B:

August 11: Manipur vs Haryana; Goa vs West Bengal

August 13: Haryana vs Goa; West Bengal vs Manipur

August 15: Manipur vs Goa; West Bengal vs Haryana   

Group C:

August 4: Tamil Nadu vs Gujarat; Kerala vs Arunachal Pradesh

August 6: Gujarat vs Kerala; Arunachal Pradesh vs Tamil Nadu

August 8: Tamil Nadu vs Kerala; Arunachal Pradesh vs Gujarat

Group D:

August 12: Odisha vs Chhattisgarh; Mizoram vs Delhi

August 14: Chhattisgarh vs Mizoram; Delhi vs Odisha

August 16: Odisha vs Mizoram; Delhi vs Chhattisgarh

Semi-finals:

August 10: Winners Group A vs Winners Group C

August 18: Winners Group B vs Winners Group D

Final: August 20

The groupings for the Junior Girls’ National Football Championship, Tier 2 – 

Group A– Chandigarh, Andaman & Nicobar, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Jammu & Kashmir

Group B – Rajasthan, Lakshadweep, Maharashtra, Tripura, Pondicherry

Group C – Assam, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Telangana

Group D – Sikkim, SAI, Meghalaya, Madhya Pradesh

Fixtures:

Group A:

July 27: Uttar Pradesh vs Andaman & Nicobar; Jammu & Kashmir vs Karnataka

July 29: Karnataka vs Chandigarh; Jammu and Kashmir vs Uttar Pradesh

July 31: Chandigarh vs Jammu and Kashmir; Andaman & Nicobar vs Karnataka

August 2: Andaman & Nicobar vs Jammu and Kashmir; Uttar Pradesh vs Chandigarh

August 4: Karnataka vs Uttar Pradesh; Chandigarh vs Andaman & Nicobar

Group B:

July 27: Maharashtra vs Lakshadweep; Pondicherry vs Tripura

July 29: Tripura vs Rajasthan; Pondicherry vs Maharashtra

July 31: Rajasthan vs Pondicherry; Lakshadweep vs Tripura

August 2: Lakshadweep vs Pondicherry; Maharashtra vs Rajasthan

August 4: Tripura vs Maharashtra; Rajasthan vs Lakshadweep

Group C:

August 1: Assam vs Telangana; Uttarakhand vs Punjab

August 3: Telangana vs Uttarakhand; Punjab vs Assam

August 5: Assam vs Uttarakhand; Punjab vs Telangana

Group D:

August 1: Sikkim vs Madhya Pradesh; SAI vs Meghalaya

August 3: Madhya Pradesh vs SAI; Meghalaya vs Sikkim

August 5: Sikkim vs SAI; Meghalaya vs Madhya Pradesh

Semi-finals:

August 7: Winners Group A vs Winners Group C; Winners Group B vs Winners Group D

Final: August 9

Also Read: Indian trio plays decisive roles in ZNK Dinamo Zagreb’s maiden cup title

Also Read: Probables announced for SAFF U17 Men’s Championship camp

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Despite picking up 3 wins and 9 points from 4 matches, Maharashtra missed out on Knock out round qualification by just a point as Dadra & Nagar Haveli sneaked past them with 10 points in 4 games.

In the final game against a strong Odisha outfit, Maharashtra came out confidently and moved the ball well in attack. In the 24^th minute, Sumaiyya broke the deadlock with a clean strike past the keeper to make it 1-0. Both sides continued with some end-to-end football with the Maharashtra defense managing to comfortably thwart every Odisha attack

Early in the second half, Sumaiyya doubled the lead for Maharashtra in the 49^th minute before around the hour mark she completed her hat-trick with a fine strike to make it 3-0. The game eventually ended as Maharashtra ended their campaign with 9 points from three games.

Meanwhile, in the simultaneously running other group F game, Dadra & Nagar Haveli managed to thrash Chandigarh 4-0 to secure their spot for the Knockouts sneaking past Maharashtra by a solitary point

FT: Maharashtra (Sumaiyya Shaikh 24’, 49’, 65’) 3 – 0 Odisha

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The loss has put a big dent on qualifying hopes for the Maharashtra girls, with the final group game against 8 – time Junior Girls NFC runner-ups Odisha side now being a must-win game and even with that results elsewhere between Chandigarh and Dadra & Nagar Haveli will matter a lot, as only a win or draw from Chandigarh would give Maharashtra the chance to go through.

Coming on the back of two wins, Maharashtra looked confident on another solid performance as they began brightly. After some end-to-end football at the start, Midfielder Ritika Singh finally broke the deadlock in the 26^th minute after beating her marker to finish with aplomb as Maharashtra took the lead.

However, Dadra & Nagar Haveli up their ante with some attacking gameplay, pushing up for a quick equalizer. They were soon rewarded when Pushpa Devi broke free of Maharashtra’s defense to slot home the equalizer. Six minutes later, Muskan gave Dadra & Nagar Haveli the lead, putting Maharashtra on back foot as the score read 2-1 at the break.

Despite best efforts in the second half, Maharashtra girls struggled to breach a resolute Dadra & Nagar Haveli defense as the score remained 2-1 at the end of full time.

After this close loss, Maharashtra are currently placed in the 3rd spot of Group F of Hero Junior Girls’ National Football Championship with 6 points and just one point behind the group leaders Odisha and Dadra & Nagar Haveli who are both at 7 points.

Maharashtra faces Odisha at 1:00 PM tomorrow in the final group game. Both teams will head into the game keeping in mind the result of the Chandigarh and Dadra & Nagar Haveli game that would be played at the same time tomorrow. The result of which would be crucial for both Odisha and Maharashtra’s chances to next round qualification.

FT: Maharashtra (Ritika Singh 26’) 1 – 2 Dadra Nagar Haveli (Pushpa Devi 33’, Muskan 38’)

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Riding on a brilliant hat-trick from striker Sumaiyya Shaikh and a goal each from Priti, Aarti and Ritika, Maharashtra sealed a huge 6-0 win over Tripura in the opening game of Group F encounter of Hero Junior National Women’s Football Championship.

The game began with Maharashtra taking charge early on in the attack, in the 14^th minute of the game, a ball from the center of the field was latched on by Sumaiyya Shaikh who beat the offside before striking it past the keeper to make it 1-0. Tripura tried to make a comeback but failed to breach a strong Maharashtra defense as both sides entered the break with the score line reading 1-0 to Maharashtra.

Soumya continued to be the thorn for Tripura’s defense with her relentless attacks and in the 56th minute, she doubled her tally and the team’s lead with a sublime strike. In the 69th attempt, Substitute Soumya had another strike on goal only to be denied by the keeper however the rebound fell for an unmarked Purva who slotted home the third goal of the morning.

Two minutes later, Ritika Singh’s thunderous shot from just outside the box found the net as Maharashtra took 4-0 lead. Soon Sumaiyya managed to complete her hat-trick with the 75th-minute strike as Maharashtra continued to be relentless with their attack.

As the game neared its end, in the first minute of injury time, Aarti Katkar, who came in as a substitute for Pooja, started a play from the wings before dribbling past a couple of players to enter the box where her final shot was clinical enough to beat the keeper as Maharashtra completed a 6-0 rout of their opponents.

Full Time:

Tripura 0 – 6 Maharashtra (Sumaiyya Shaikh 14’, 56’, 75’, Purva Gaikwad 69’, Ritika Singh 71’, Aarti Katkar 90+1’)

Tripura Squad

Budha Laxmi Debbarma (Gk), Kabita Debbarma (Alisha Debbarma 62’), Resmi Kalai, Sibti Debbarma, Teresa Darlong, Mausami Urang, Basanti Reang (C), Marina Jamatia, Jibika Debbarma, Suwari Debbarma (Lallungawii Darlong 76’), Sneha Debnath (Rezina Darlong 44’)

Unused Subs:

Swari Debbarma, Kalpana Nayek, Sarmila Munda, Laxmi Debnath, Siyari Tripura, Ali Halam (Gk)

Maharashtra Squad

Vaishnavi Sonune (C) (Gk), Sanjana Gupta, Pooja Gupta (Arati Sanjay Katkar 70’), Sumaiyya Shaikh (Priya Rathod 78’), Sharvari Donkar, Ritika Singh, Divya Pawara (Soumya Kagale 64’), Aditi Gadekar, Purva Gaikwad (Nida Satarmaker 78’), Nikita Jude, Sakshi Repe

Unused Subs:

Mahak Shaikh, Rajnandini Bhoite, Hritika Bandsode (Gk), Prerna Meshram

– Courtesy WIFA Media

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