Neemuch (MP): The Sub Junior Girls’ National Football Championship Tier 2 final between hosts Madhya Pradesh and Odisha was a passionate contest that had all the ingredients to leave a sizeable crowd at the floodlit Dr. Rajendra Prasad Stadium truly entertained on Tuesday night.
In the end, Madhya Pradesh had the honour, and deservingly so, to win their maiden Sub Junior Girls’ title, defeating Odisha 2-1.
The winners won half the battle in the first 45 minutes, leading 2-0 at the break. Odisha made a valiant attempt to make a comeback in the latter half, but all they could do was reduce the deficit.
Madhya Pradesh shot ahead in the 12th minute and never allowed the advantage to go. Odisha, considered one of the stronger forces on the country’s women’s football map, were guilty of conceding an own goal that initially dampened their spirit.
An innocuous long ranger from the left by a Madhya Pradesh forward had little or no punch to make a dent, but Puja Oram’s attempted clearance was ill-directed and thoroughly confused her own goalkeeper Kamal Krishna before rolling over the goalline. It was a frustrating moment for the Odisha defenders.
Madhya Pradesh girls, however, were determined to establish their superiority on the pitch, and the second goal in the 33rd minute only strengthened their claim.
Skipper and midfielder Somni Dhurwey’s angular shot from the left of the top box was a measured one and spun into the goal much to the delight of the home crowd.
Odisha looked desperate to undo the damage in the second session and raided the rivals repeatedly. One such move fetched them a corner in the 69th minute, which landed just outside the six-yard box. Khundongbam Ambalika was quick to take advantage and found the net with a deft touch.
After this, Madhya Pradesh regrouped their defence to stand firm against all onslaught for the rest of the period and clinched their first national title. The joyous celebrations that followed were very much there.
