Hosts Nashik DFA and Pune DFA scored identical 1-0 victories in their respective quarter-final matches of the WIFA Inter-District Girl’s Under-17 football tournament, played at the Minatai Thakare Stadium, Nashik on Monday.
The home challengers Nashik came good in the second half and managed to score the all-important winner to down Buldhana DFA in a close encounter. Nashik scored through their consistent goal-scorer Ritika Singh to snatch a deserving win and advance to the penultimate round.
Earlier, in an evenly contested match, strong favourites, Pune worked hard and managed to stave off the spirited fight from Thane DFA to come out trumps. Striker Purva Gaikwad netted the crucial winning goal in the first session and the Pune girls did well to defend their advantage and emerge victors to set a clash with Nashik in the penultimate round.
In another match, Kolhapur DFA riding on Nidha Satarmekar’s twin strikes in the first half blanked Palghar DFA 3-0. Rajnandini Bhoite netted the third goal for the winners.
Later, in a closely contested encounter, Mumbai DFA scraped past Satara DFA 4-3 via the tie-breaker after the scores were locked goalless at the end of full-time. In the penalty shootout, Mumbai converted through Nikita Jude, Himanshi Solanki, Priya Rathod, and Rochelle Lobo, while Satara scored through Hritika Bansode, Alsifa Sayyad, and Snehal Ghadge.
Quarter-final results: Kolhapur DFA 3 (Nidha Satarmekar 2, Rajnandini Bhoite) beat Palghar DFA 0.
Pune DFA 1 (Purva Gaikwad) beat Thane DFA 0.
Nashik DFA 1 (Ritika Singh) beat Buldhana DFA 0.
Mumbai DFA 4 (Nikita Jude, Himanshi Solanki, Priya Rathod, Rochelle Lobo) beat Satara DFA 3 (Hritika Bansode, Alsifa Sayyad, Snehal Ghadge) via the tie-breaker. Full-time: 0-0.