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24th June 2019. Jalgaon: Earlier today, in the final of WIFA Inter-District Women’s Championship, Pune played Buldhana in a thrilling contest at Jalgaon. After both the sides failed to score in the normal time, Pune defeated Buldhana 3-1 on penalties to lift the title and end their campaign on a superb note.
Pune 0(3)-0(1) Buldhana
(Pune won in Penalty)
The match stared off with Pune’s Jersey no 4 got injured in the very beginning of game. Earlier in first half there were some close chances for both the sides but neither side could break the deadlock. In second half Pune had number of chances to take the lead but Nikita Jadhav marshaled Buldhana’s defence like a wall and played a key role in keeping the score 0-0. After extra time, the game went to tiebreaker where Pune’s GK Anjali Barke once again stole the show with couple of saves that helped Pune to clinch the victory over Buldhana to become first time champions.
Though Pune and Buldhana had to go through the penalty shootout in order to defeat their counterparts, it was a brilliant performance to eliminate two of the likeliest finalists. When both these sides faced earlier today, it became a historic moment for both these districts that were playing each other for the very first time in the final.
Throughout the game, Pune and Buldhana defended superbly. They knew that even conceding a single goal will turn out to be fatal. At the full-time whistle, the score was still tied at 0-0 as the match headed towards the ultimate showdown, penalty shootout.
For Pune Murial Adam, Shweta Borude and Sana Shaikh managed to convert their spot kicks while only Dipsika Hiwale could convert for Buldhana.
Player of the tournament: Sonali Chemte
Goalkeeper of the tournament: Anjali Barke
Best Defender: Nikita Jhadav
Top scorer of the tournament: Pratiksha Mithari (6 Goals)
