Women's Football : Holders Manipur thrash Jharkhand 5-1
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 27 2023:
Defending champions Manipur got off to a flying start in the 37th National Games Women's Football at Tilak Maidan, Vasco Da Gama in Goa today.
Manipur women thoroughly dominated the game and enjoyed a 3-0 first half lead before completing the 5-1 thrashing of Jharkhand today in the opening (Group A) match .
Nongmeikapam Sibani put Manipur ahead after 10 minutes before captain Irom Prameshwori doubled the advantage in the 15th minute.
The scoring spree continued with Toijam Thoibisana adding the team's third goal in the 18th minute.
Manipur continued to dominate the proceedings after the restart and further got the lead extended to 4-0 when Lisham Babina made a cool finish.
Clueless Jharkhand toiled to reduce the deficit in the later part of the game and eventually pulled a goal back when Sudha Ankita Tirkey made no mistake in converting a penalty in the 82nd minute.
Manipur however restored the four goal lead and ran out 5-1 winners with Moirangthem Ambika who subbed in for Toijam Thoibisana scored three minutes from time.
Manipur will play West Bengal in the next match on October 29 before taking on Tamil Nadu on October 31 in the penultimate Group A match.
The matches start at 4 pm.
Four teams clubbed into two groups are competing in the tournament and top two teams will qualify for the semi-finals starting from November 3 .
Manipur Men's team are drawn in Group B along with Kerala, Meghalaya and Maharashtra and will open the campaign on October 31 at PJN Stadium, Fatorda, Margao.