The opening two days were packed with action as districts battled to book quarterfinal places. Pune made a strong start with a 6-1 win over Thane, while Kolhapur advanced with a commanding 9-0 victory against Amravati. Ahmednagar defeated Satara 6-1, Nagpur overcame Nashik 2-0, Gondia edged Palghar 1-0, and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar beat Solapur 5-0 to complete the quarterfinal lineup.

Mumbai entered the tournament directly in the quarterfinals and began their campaign against Kolhapur. The city side dominated set pieces to record a 4-1 win, scoring through a free kick, a rebound, a long-range effort, and a penalty following a red card. Pune also impressed in their quarterfinal, beating Nagpur 3–0 with goals from Tanvi Kore, Ritika Singh, and Sanika Deshpande. Elsewhere, Yavatmal overcame Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar 4-0, while Ahmednagar cruised past Gondia 5-0.

The semifinals on August 14 produced emphatic scorelines. Pune outclassed Ahmednagar 7-0 with strikes from Ritika, Aditi Gadekar, Purva, Pooja Gupta, Prerna, and Mahika. Mumbai were equally dominant, defeating Yavatmal 9-0 thanks to a hat-trick from Bhumika, a brace from Shriya, and goals from Sakshi, Shreya, Nishka, and Niyati. The results confirmed a Pune versus Mumbai final, with Ahmednagar and Yavatmal contesting the third-place playoff.

In the playoff, Ahmednagar beat Yavatmal 4-0 to secure third place, with a hat-trick from Sumaiya Shaikh and a goal from Tanisha Shirsul.

The final brought a dramatic conclusion to the tournament. Mumbai struck first in the 2nd minute, with Nishika Prakash unleashing a stunning long-range strike into the top corner to give them a 1-0 lead. Pune responded after the break, with Payal Kothari converting a free-kick in the 59th minute to level the score. In the dying moments, a Pune attacker was fouled in the box, resulting in a penalty, and Ritika Singh calmly slotted home in the 90th minute to seal a 2-1 win for Pune.

PC: WIFA Media Team

Individual Awards
• Player of the Tournament: Ritika Singh (Pune)
• Best Forward: Sumaiya Shaikh (Ahmednagar)
• Best Goalkeeper: Nikita Desai (Mumbai)
• Best Defender: Prerna Meshram (Pune)

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The post WIFA Women’s Inter-District Championship 2024-25: Pune Crowned Champions appeared first on Football Counter.

What do you make of Mumbai Under-14’s run in the tournament so far?

I think, what Jaywant and I have tried with our team is to play some brilliant combination football, and the kids have executed what we wanted, brilliantly. This side has not had a clinical finisher but yet has managed to score 18 goals in 3 matches. That’s a sign they are playing as a team.

How do you feel the has side progressed over the matches they played together?

Before we started our campaign in the State Championship we had 4 to 5 days to select the team, and for that, we played a couple of practice matches and lost all of them. After that, we announced the team and managed to have one practice with them in which we trained our team’s shape and playing style.

With just one practice there was no time to coach except work on a strategy that consisted of team shape and playing style. The boys in so less time have grasped and excited exactly what we wanted. I don’t know what else can I call this talented or what.

What are your thoughts on the final against Pune Under-14 on Sunday?

It’s a final and we face last year’s Champions. It will be the biggest test of the tournament.

How ready is the side to triumph on Sunday’s final?

Of course, Jaywant and I believe in this lot of players and think they even have the potential to make it very big in football.

How do you feel winning the Inter District would impact everyone in the city?

I think most of the football players and fraternity is not aware of the tournament. Would be nice if such tournaments are highlighted from day 1 of the trials so that everyone from Mumbai would be behind their team.

I and Jaywant hope to see a lot of Mumbaikars tomorrow in Boisar to support our Mumbai team.

Firmin and Jaywant have been pulling strings together for Mumbai Under-14’s and apart from the abundant talent are the two leading front men to be credited for Mumbai’s road to the final.

The post Interview: Firmin D’Souza talks to Footballcounter before Inter-District Sub-Junior final appeared first on Football Counter.