Prolific goal-scorer Jahnavi Shetty once again played the lead role by striking two goals, which inspired Mumbai District to a fighting 3-2 victory against a spirited Buldhana District in a Sub-junior girls’ semi-finals match of the WIFA Inter-District Football Championship played at TVMP ground, Boisar on Friday.
Mumbai captain Bhumika Mane scored the third goal, while Sakshi Hiwale and Aishwarya Bhonde netted a goal each to keep Buldhana in the fight.
In the final, Mumbai will clash with Pune District, who overcame Kolhapur District 5-3 via the tie-breaker after the match finished in a 1-1 draw.
Buldhana put up quite a strong challenge, but Mumbai broke their resistance in the 19th minute when Jahnavi scored the opening goal. In the next minute, Buldhana restored parity with Sakshi Hiwale scoring the equaliser.
Mumbai regained the lead with Bhumika netting the second goal in the 28th minute and giving her team a 2-1 half-time advantage.
After the change of ends, Jahnavi shot her second goal and increased Mumbai’s lead to 3-1. But, the Buldhana girls fought on gamely and cut the deficit with Aishwarya Bhonde scoring the second goal in the 45th minute.
Earlier, Pune took the lead through Kajol D’Souza in the 10th minute before Kolhapur drew level when Sakshi Pauskar scoring in the 30th minute and to take the match to the tie-breaker.
In the penalty shootout contest, Pune girls successfully scored through Urvi Salunkhe, Kajol, Sapna Rajpure and Puja Gupta, while Kolhapur could only convert two with Ramya Shantiprasad and Rajnandini Bholte scoring from the ‘spot’. Vaishnavi Dombale and Muskan Athar failed to score.
Results – Semi-finals: Pune District 5 (Kajol D’Souza 2, Urvi Salunkhe, Sapna Rajpure, Puja Gupta) beat Kolhapur District 3 (Sakshi Pauskar, Ramya Shantiprasad, Rajnandini Bholte) via the tie-breaker. Full-time 1-1.
Mumbai District 3 (Jahnavi Shetty 2, Bhumika Mane) beat Buldhana District 2 (Sakshi Hiwale, Aishwarya Bhonde).