Senior Women's NFCManipur crush hosts UP 8-0 for third straight victory, seal final round berth

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Dec 1 :  Manipur came out all guns blazing and carried forward its winning momentum to demolish hosts Uttar Pradesh 8-0 for the third straight victory in the 28th Senior Women's National Football Championship Group A at Mahamaya Sports Stadium, Ghaziabad.
Having devastated Rajasthan 15-0 and crushed Chhattisgarh 4-0 in the previous two matches, today's win courtesy doubles from Ngangom Bala, Heigrujam Daya and Dangmei Grace helped record 21-time champions Manipur to qualify for the final round as Group leaders.
Ngangom Bala Devi put Manipur ahead after seven minutes and completed her brace in the 12th minute to make it 2-0 against Uttar Pradesh who finished second in the Group table with a win against Rajasthan.
Naorem Priyangka then carried forward the scoring spree by adding the team's third in the 20th minute before Heigrujam Daya Devi made it 4-0 with a clinical finish the very next minute.
Dangmei Grace also joined the party after 32 minute to further extend the lead to 5-0 before Daya had her second at the stroke of the half time to earn Manipur a 6-0 first half lead.
After the restart, Dangmei Grace scored her second in the 53rd minute to make it 7-0 before Kshetrimayum Margaret Devi who subbed in for Ng Bala after 58 minutes rounded off the scoring in the 71st minute.
12 teams including 6 group toppers, 3 best runners, previous edition's finalists and the hosts West Bengal will be competing in the final round of the championship.