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The WIFA Women’s league defending champions – PIFA SC and MFA Women’s League Champions – Mumbai Knights registered massive 6-0 wins to set up an enticing final clash that is now become a virtual title decider.
Playing their penultimate game of the competition, Mumbai Knights needed a big win to increase their Goal difference to improve upon their title chances. Since both Knights and PIFA have been on the same track on the points table.
The game started out bright with the Knights taking early control of the proceedings, Kenkre at the other end were steady on their defense until the 18th minute when Knights’ top scorer Priyanka Sujeesh broke the deadlock. Alexandra and Velanie then added a goal each before the break as the Knights headed into the halftime break with a comfortable 3-0 lead.
In the second half, Kenkre were defensively quite better however midway through the half, Knights raised their intensity high, managing to easily find pockets of spaces. Soon enough, in the period of four minutes, Knights notched up three quick goals to run away with a 6-0 lead. Substitute Jahnvi Shetty opened the scoring in the second half with fifteen minutes left clock before Valencia D’mello two quick-fire goals to put the game to bed.
FT: Mumbai Knights (Priyanka 18′, Alexandra Eccard 24′, Velanie Fernandes 42′, Jahnvi Shetty 75′, Valencia D’mello 76′, 78′) 6 – 0 Kenkre FC
With the Knights picking up a big win, PIFA SC were not going to be left behind. Taking on the Warriors of Kolhapur side – who were no pushovers, PIFA turned on the heat big time with a massive 6-0 win of their own. Star striker Sasmita Behera struck a sensational hat-trick to take her side home.
Floodgates opened up quite early in the game for PIFA when Mamta Kumari broke the deadlock in the 7th minute of the game before Sasmita and Rakhee Sawant chipped in with two quick goals as PIFA took 3-0 lead in the first fifteen minutes of the game. After a high-pace start both sides settled down a bit with the majority of the gameplay in midfield. Warriors rarely seemed to trouble the PIFA defense
In the second half, Sasmita and skipper Karen Pais notched two quick-fire goals around the hour mark before Sasmita added one more in the final quarter of the game to complete the 6-0 rout
FT: PIFA SC (Mamta Kumari 7′, Sasmita Behera 14′, 62′, 74′, Rakhee Sawant 15′, Karen Pais 63′) 6 – 0 Warriors of Kolhapur SC
PIFA now faces Mumbai Knights – two of the strongest teams in the competition in what has become a virtual final. However, Knights need to win against PIFA due to latter’s better goal difference. The defending champions have not conceded a single goal in this competition and a draw will be enough for them to retain the title.
