Players in action during the match between Maharashtra and Punjab at the Chümoukedima Football Stadium on November 29.
CHÜMOUKEDIMA, NOVEMBER 29 (MExN): Maharashtra entered the final of the Dr Talimeren Ao Junior Girls’ National Football Championship with a 2–0 win over Punjab in Semi-Final 2 on Saturday.
Both teams went toe to toe in the first half, sharing possession almost evenly, Punjab with 48 per cent and Maharashtra with 52 per cent, as play was largely restricted to midfield exchanges marked by resilience rather than creativity, according to a match report from the organizer.
Despite registering seven shots on target each, neither side managed to break the deadlock before the breather. Punjab’s forwards were denied repeatedly by a well-organised Maharashtra backline and goalkeeper, while the Punjab custodian produced timely saves to keep her side in the contest.
Maharashtra shifted gears in the second half, pressing higher and exploiting the widening spaces on the flanks as Punjab began yielding ground. The breakthrough came in the 69th minute when Sharvari (Jersey No. 10) converted from close range, triggering loud celebrations from the Maharashtra camp.
Pushing forward in search of an equaliser, Punjab committed players ahead and were punished again in the 81st minute. Aarna (Jersey No. 11) rose at the right moment to head home Maharashtra’s second, effectively sealing the victory and ending Punjab’s hopes of a late resurgence.
The match was graced by Megolhou Dolie, Additional Director, Youth Resources & Sports, Government of Nagaland, who served as the match patron. Maharashtra will now contest the final on December 11.
