National football: Maharashtra eves in quarter-finals, men make winning start

 by Shrutee K

Mumbai, December : Maharashtra’s (WIFA) women team maintained their impressive run of form and put up a gallant display to share honours with Sikkim playing out an exciting and favourable 1-1 draw in the concluding Group-E league match of the AIFF Senior Women's National Football Championship 2021-22, and played at the EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode, on Friday afternoon. 

Striker Trupti Deep of Gondia District scored for Maharashtra before Sikkim scored the equalsier through Suju Hangma Limbo to share the spoils and split two points.

Both Maharashtra and Sikkim finished with 7 points each. But Maharashtra with a better goal-differential of plus 8 (GF 9, GA 1) as compared to Sikkim’s plus 7 (GF 8, GA 1) topped the group and qualified for the quarter-finals. Maharashtra will meet Mizoram who topped Group-G in the next round on Sunday.

Both, Maharashtra and Sikkim showed positive intent and opted to play an open attacking game and there was plenty of goalmouth action at either end but the scoreboard stayed blank at the end of the first half.

After the first session ended goalless Maharashtra’s dashing striker Trupti Deep found the net from an Akanksha Kandalkar assist in the 62^nd minute to bring cheer in 5her camp. However, Maharashtra was unable to hold on to the lead as five minutes later the fighting Sikkim side restored parity through Suju Hangma Limbo’s strike.

Maharashtra goalkeeper Anjali Barke also had a excellent day under the bar and made some timely saves from one-on-one situations to ensure her team conceded just one goal.

Trupti was later adjudged the ‘Player of the match’.

Results – Group-E: Maharashtra 1 (Trupti Deep 62^nd) drew with Sikkim 1 (Suju Hangma Limbo 67^th).

Maharashtra men drub MP 3-0

Mumbai, December : Maharashtra (WIFA) men’s team launched their campaign on a bright winning note defeating Madhya Pradesh 3-0 in a Group-B league match of the West Zone qualifier for the AIFF Senior Men’s National Football Championship and played at the Poornima University ground, Jaipur on Friday.

Madhya Pradesh fought hard and did well to restrict Maharashtra from finding the net in the first 45-minute period as the teams went into the break goalless.

However, after switching ends, Maharashtra dictated terms and scored thrice to run away with the match.

Substitutes Advait Shinde broke the deadlock scoring the first goal in the 58^th minute before Siddharth Colaco and Aimar Adam scored two late goals in the 82^nd and 83^rd minute to complete Maharashtra’s victory.

Maharashtra will clash with hosts Rajasthan in the concluding group match on Sunday. A win will confirm Mahrashtra’s qualification to the next phase of the competition.

Results – Group-B: Maharashtra 3 (Advait Shinde 58^th min, Siddharth Colaco 82^nd min, Aimar Adam 83^rd min, beat Madhya Pradesh 0.