Kenkre FC, Mumbai rallied to overcome Amma FC, Nagapur 3-1 in a first-round match of the WIFA Women’s Football League played at the Cooperage Football ground, on Monday morning. This is the qualifying tournament for the AIFF Indian Women’s Football League 2021-2022.
Kenkre FC attacker Yumlembam Thailand Devi (right) tries to get past Amma FC defender Savita Chavan
The visiting Amma FC rocked the Kenkre FC citadel when Punam Kumari’s hit the target in the 15th minute and went into the break with a slender 1-0 lead. However, the home team fought back and scored three goals in the second period through striker Deniese Pereira in the 53rd minute, Yumlembam Thailand Devi in the 63rd minute, and Kavya Jaiswal in the 81st minute to clinch a deserving win and all three points.
Sasmita Behera (No.9) of PIFA Sports shields the ball from Next Sports Academy players
Later in the afternoon, S.P. Football Academy, Thane blanked India Rush SC, Mumbai by a comfortable 3-0 margin. Afreen Peerbhoy gave the Thane outfit the lead in the 23rd minute and in the second session India Rush defender scored an own-goal as S.P. Football Academy doubled the lead in the 60th minute. Jahnavi Shetty fired home the third goal in the 67th minute.
Kenkre FC attacker Yumlembam Thailand Devi (right) tries to get past Amma FC defender Savita Chavan
Earlier, in another first-round match played late Sunday evening, PIFA Sports, Mumbai powered by Sasmita Behera’s double hat-trick and triple strikes each from Pooja Kapate and Akanksha Kandalkar went on to record a thumping 19-0 win against a hapless Next Sports Academy, Palghar. PIFA captain Dipika C. and Trupti Deep both netted two goals each while Pratima Mukhia, Anita Rawat, and Sruthi Kandikonda chipped in with one each.
Results: PIFA Sports, Mumbai 19 (Sasmita Behera 6, Pooja Kapate 3, Akanksha Kandalkar 3, Dipika C. 2, Trupti Deep 2, Pratima Mukhia, Anita Rawat, Sruthi Kandikonda) beat Next Sports Academy, Palghar 0.
Kenkre FC, Mumbai 3 (Deniese Pereira, YumlembamThailand Devi, Kavya Jaiswal) beat Amma FC, Nagpur 1 (Punam Kumari).
S.P. Football Academy, Thane 3 (Afreen Peerbhoy, Suruchi Mistry-OG, Jahnavi Shetty) beat India Rush SC, Mumbai 0.