Maibam nandeshwori devi

Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Ground: Defending champions Manipur routed Jharkhand by five second-half goals in Group A to become the first team to reach the semifinals of the 29th Senior Women’s National Football Championship for the Rajmata Jijabai Trophy at the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Ground on Monday. Manipur delivered a stellar second-half performance to secure a commanding 5-0 victory over Jharkhand after a goalless first half.

Naorem Priyangka Devi struck the first goal in the 50th minute. Laishram Rejiya Devi delivered a pinpoint cross to the top of the box, and Priyangka smashed the ball into the bottom-left corner. In the 70th minute, Priyangka doubled her tally off a rebounder, calmly slotting it into the bottom-right corner. In the 58th minute, Laishram Rejiya Devi sent in a precise cross from the right. A deflection off Nongmaithem Ratanbala Devi’s failed attempt to control the ball, landed perfectly at Dangmei Grace’s feet, who wasted no time in smashing the ball into the roof of the net.

Manipur continued to press, and their fourth goal came in the 84th minute through Asem Roja Devi. Latching onto a through ball at the top of the box, she feigned an early shot, before unleashing a perfectly timed strike.