Orissa,Manipur join West Bengal in quarter-final league

In last Cluster VIII round outings this evening,West Bengal defeated Punjab by 5-0 while Tripura also scored an identical 5-0 verdict against Rajasthan. Bengal and Tripura had an identical points tally of seven each with two victories and one draw apiece. However,West Bengal marched into quarter-final league on better goal difference. West Bengal had 20 goals in favour and none against while Tripura scored 12 goals without conceding two. In the morning session,holders Orissa,runners-up Manipur and Maharashtra qualified for quarter-final league.

Orissa drubbed Karnataka by 13-0 in their return match in cluster V. Jabamani Soren (4),Lochna Munda (3),Kunti Kumari (2),Sansmita Ghatary (2),Pratima Soren (1) and Manisha Tirkey (1) were the goal scorers for the winners. Soren was in fine form as she led from the front for the winning team. The key to the team’s success was long passes and handling of the individual attacks.

Orissa had thrashed Karnataka 9-0 in their opening match and after the result of Tuesday’s match moved into quarter-final league with six points. Runners-up Manipur gave a football lesson to Delhi whom they blanked 14-0. It was their second successive win and emerged cluster VI leaders with six points. In a one-sided encounter,Manipur scored through Reenaroy Devi (4),Bina Devi (5),Monteshri Chanu (3),Basanti Devi (1) and Neera Devi (1). Devi was the star of the day for manipur as she scored four goals to guide his team to huge win. Maharashtra and Assam were locked at same points of six each in cluster VII. However,Maharashtra pipped their rivals on the basis of better goal difference. Maharashtra and Assam today played a one-all draw and split points. Assam forged ahead in the 27th minute through Sobitazzari while Lovaniya Diwakar (71) restored parity for Maharashtra. Maharashtra scored a total of 12 goals and conceded one,while Assam have six goals in favour and one against.