Gracy graces Goa into semis

CALCUTTA, May 11: Goa entered the semi-finals of the sixth National Women's Football Championships with a thumping 6-0 win over Tamil Nadu i...

CALCUTTA, May 11: Goa entered the semi-finals of the sixth National Women8217;s Football Championships with a thumping 6-0 win over Tamil Nadu in Group P. Forward Gracy Pereira, who has been in good form throughout the tournament, once again delivered the goods for Goa, scoring four goals. The other two were scored by Angella Gomes and Sharon Lobo.

In another match of the same group, Manipur beat Punjab 3-0, all the goals coming in the first half. Manipur, who had already qualified for the semis, relaxed today, yet Punjab proved to be no match for them. Punjab were the semi-finalists last time, but have been eliminated in the quarters itself, this year.

Goa dominated their game against Tamil Nadu right from the beginning. Displaying superior technique, Goa controlled the game from the midfield, not allowing their opponents too many opportunities. Although Goa did have to wait for 38 minutes for their first goal, they came close to getting it a number of times earlier.

The first goal was actually a giftfrom Tamil Nadu after defender C. Ezhillarasi handled the ball inside her box. Gracy Pereira converted the spot-kick easily. Pereira got the second just a minute later. Receiving the ball close to the centre circle, Pereira ran through the Tamil Nadu defence to score from the top of the box.

Seven minutes after break, Sharon Lobo scored one of the finest goals of the tournament so far. She dribbled into the box and shot from a very acute angle to the right of the goalkeeper. The ball entered the net inches belowthe cross-piece. Pereira made it 4-0 in the 25th minute through a move very similar to her second goal. Again she dodged past Tamil Nadu defenders from the centre circle, to enter the box and score through the space she had created for herself.

Algella Gomes8217; 34th minute strike found Goa increase the margin and Pereira added another three minutes later to make it half-a-dozen goals against none.

Manipur got all their goals in the first half itself. M Khomdongbi Devi and N Geeta Rani scoredtheir first goals of the tournament in the 17th and the 34th minutes, before Tababi Devi added another to her tally in the 39th minute to make it 3-0 for Manipur. Goa finished second in Group P with six points while Manipur topped with nine points.