Strikers Akansha Kandalkar and Valencia D’Mello both showed excellent scoring touch and struck a hat-trick of goals each to power Mumbai District to a convincing 10-0 win against Dhule District in quarter-final match of the WIFA Inter-district women football championship, played at Palghar on Wednesday.
Mumbai District striker Akansha Kandalkar dodges past Dhule District defender Bharati Pawara in a quarter-final match of the WIFA Inter-district women football championship played at Palghar on Wednesday.
Former junior India striker Karen Pais scored a brace of goals, including the opening goal in the second minute, while teammates Shreya Bhat and Bhagyashree Dalvi chipped in with one apiece to complete Mumbai’s massive victory and a place in the semi-finals.
In contrast, Pune District faced a strong challenge from host Palghar District but managed to score a lone goal in the second half to snatch a tight 1-0 win and advance to the semi-finals. Opportunistic striker Muriel Adams netted the crucial winning goal to secure Pune’s win.
Kolhapur District blanked Gondia District to also progress to the penultimate round. Sanika Patil scored two goals and Vaishnavi Dombale netted one to complete Kolhapur’s win.
Thursday is a rest day. In Friday’s semi-finals, Kolhapur meets Pune and Mumbai takes on Nagpur.
Results (quarter-finals): Kolhapur District 3 (Sanika Patil 2, Vaishnavi Dombale) beat Gondia District 0.
Mumbai District 10 (Akansha Kandalkar 3, Valencia D’Mello 3, Karen Pais 2, Shreya Bhat, Bhagyashree Dalvi) beat Dhule District 0.
Pune District 1 (Muriel Adams) beat Palghar District 0.