Footie First, Mumbai dished out another impressive performance to hand Krida Prabodhini, Pune a 4-1 defeat in a sixth-round match of the WIFA Women’s Football League played at the Cooperage Football ground. This is the qualifying tournament, for the AIFF Indian Women’s Football League 2021-2022.
Footie First attacker Annu Gupta (right) runs past Krida Prabodhini midfielder Sanika Despande during their WIFA Women’s Football League
The highlight of Footie First win was the superb finishing of attacking midfielder Annu Gupta who chipped in with two goals after Mamta Kumari and Pooja Morey had scored the opening two goals. Vaishnavi Pawar netted the lone goal for the Pune side.
Earlier, strong favourtites PIFA Sports got the better of arch-rivals Kenkre FC 2-0 in a clash between Mumbai outfits. PIFA skipper Dipika S. and striker Bhagyashree Dalvi scored a goal each on either side of the break to clinch the win and the three points.
PIFA Sports defender Zarastyn Mistry (right) and Kenkre FC midfielder Yashmita Mahatre charge for the ball during their WIFA Women’s Football League
Footie First started in an aggressive fashion and made their intentions clear from the start and striker Mamta Kumari rocked the rival citadel scoring the first goal in the seventh minute.
Despite the early setback, Krida Prabodhini girls regrouped and put up a fight, and restricted the opposition to just a solitary strike in the first half.
However, the Mumbai team mounted relentless pressure and scored three goals inside the last half hour of the match. Pooja Morey found the net in the 63rd minute to give Footie First a 2-0 cushion before Annu further consolidated the lead with two goals in the 77th and 86th minutes to complete the margin of victory. Krida Prabodhini captain Vaishnavi scored a consolation goal in the final minute of the match.
Earlier, PIFA Sports and Kenkre FC were locked in quite a keen tussle to gain the upper hand. But, the PIFA players managed to capitalize on the chances that came their way with Dipika S. scoring the first goal in the 11th minute before Bhagyashree Dalvi sealed their win with the second goal in the 71st minute.
Results – sixth round: Footie First, Mumbai 4 (Annu Gupta 2, Mamta Kumari, Pooja Morey) beat Krida Prabodhini, Pune 1 (Vaishnavi Pawar).
PIFA Sports, Mumbai 2 (Dipika S., Bhagyashree Dalvi) beat Kenkre FC, Mumbai 0.