Defending champions Manipur, Railways and Haryana won their respective preliminary league matches in the Final Round of the Senior Women's National Football Championship 2022-23 at various grounds here on Sunday.
Manipur, who had defeated Odisha in the final to win the NFC when it was last held in 2018-19, prevailed over strong contender Bengal 3-2 in a Group B game here at the GNDU Main Ground.
Skipper Ngangom Bala Devi opened the scoring for Manipur in the 17th minute and Serto Lynda Kom doubled the lead in the 40th minute. Just before the two sides headed into the break, Mousumi Murmu pulled one back for Bengal as the scoreline read 2-1 at halftime.
Lynda Kom added another goal to the Manipur score before the hour mark as Manipur looked to take the full three points with their commanding display. However, they were dealt a late scare as Bengal skipper Sangita Basfore made it 3-2. But the reigning champions held it till the final whistle to bag their second consecutive victory in the tournament.
Serto Lynda Kom was awarded the Player of the Match for her lively performance in the attack.
Indian Railways rout Himachal
Indian Railways bounced back from their opening match defeat by registering a massive 7-1 victory over Himachal Pradesh. After the scoreline read 1-1 at halftime, Railways struck six times in the second session to make it a completely one-sided affair.
It all began with Mamta's 38th-minute opener for Indian Railways. The attacker made a solo effort and dribbled past the Himachal backline before bundling up goalkeeper Manisha and hitting the back of the net for a spectacular goal.
Mamta's celebrations were, however, shortlived as Himachal equalised only two minutes later via Manisha. The two sides headed into the break level on scores, but Indian Railways dominated the ball possession as well as in terms of attempts on target.
Following the break, the previous year's finalists continued from where they left off in the first half. Skipper Yumnam Kamala Devi found the net in the 47th minute with a stunning strike from the edge of the box. There was no stopping Indian Railways after that.
Mamta scored her second of the game in the 50th minute while Kamala Devi also completed her brace in the 62nd minute to make it 4-1. Additionally, Anju Tamang, who was a livewire in the attack throughout the game too got onto the scoresheet in the 67th minute.
Two goals in quick-fire succession in the 72nd and 73rd minutes from Diparnita Dey and Jabamani Tudu meant Indian Railways sealed a massive 7-1 win. The team recorded a whopping 20 shots on target throughout the game as opposed to Himachal Pradesh's two.
Yumnam Kamala Devi was adjudged the Player of the Match following her side's convincing victory.
Haryana bag three points again
Haryana continued with their fine form with a second successive win. The north Indian state downed Maharashtra 4-0, courtesy of a brace from Renu Rani.
Rani, who was adjudged the Player of the Match, netted once in each half to give Haryana a 2-0 lead. A late penalty by Santosh in the 86th minute took the game completely away from Maharashtra. Furthermore, skipper Ritu Rani put the game to bed in the additional time to make it 4-0.
Bumrah, Kuldeep included in India's squad for Champions Trophy, no place for Siraj
Fast-bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has been named in India's Champions Trophy squad beginning on February 19. His inclusion, though, is subject to him being fit in time for the tournament, with chief selector Ajit Agarkar expressing optimism on his participation.
India Open 2025: Anupama reaches 2nd round, Malvika, Priyanshu go down fighting
Anupama Upadhyaya won the battle between two rising women’s singles players while Malvika Bansod and Priyanshu Rajawat put up a fight against higher-ranked opponents but ended on the losing side in the opening round of the India Open 2025 at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall here on Wednesday.
Whatever Kohli, Rohit plan, it will be for best interest of Indian cricket: Gambhir
Questions have risen over the international futures of regular captain Rohit Sharma and talismanic Virat Kohli after India lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 3-1, but head coach Gautam Gambhir said he was optimistic that whatever the senior duo plans would be in the best interest of the country.
5th Test: Australia beat India by 6 wickets to claim Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a decade
After 2014/15, Australia were winless in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on their home soil. But the tables turned under bright sunshine at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday, as the hosts beat India to win the fifth Test by six wickets and clinch the series 3-1.
ICC accepts CT hybrid model, Indo-Pak 2026 T20 WC clash moved to Colombo: Sources
The impasse over the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 is over as sources close to BCCI and ICC claimed on Friday that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has accepted the hybrid model with India playing its matches in Dubai.
I-League 2024-25: Shillong Lajong register first win with 8-0 routing over Rajasthan United
Hosts Shillong Lajong FC struck it rich as they routed Rajasthan United FC 8-0 in Round 4 of the I-League 2024-25 at the SSA Stadium on Sunday.
Senior National Wrestling: Haryana sweeps women’s division with seven gold
It was Haryana’s day to shine at the Senior National Wrestling Championships 2024 as they clinched a stunning seven golds in the women’s category on the final day of the competition at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday.
Jay Shah begins tenure as ICC Chair, outlines plans on Olympics & women’s cricket
As he commences his tenure as Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday, Jay Shah has given an outline of his vision towards leveraging the sport’s presence in the Olympics and growing women’s cricket across the globe.