Prerna meshram

National Football Championship: There were goals aplenty in two Group D matches of the 29th Senior Women’s National Football Championship for the Rajmata Jijabai Trophy at the Vidhyadharnagar Stadium on Tuesday as Maharashtra recorded a massive 26-0 victory over Andaman & Nicobar, and Delhi defeated Pondicherry 11-0.

Bettering Delhi's 21-0 win over Andaman & Nicobar two days ago, Maharashtra took pole position thanks to a better goal difference. A draw against Delhi in the final group match on Thursday will be enough for Maharashtra to qualify for the final round. Delhi will need a victory to bag top spot.

Maharashtra's 26 goals were netted by nine different players. Vaishnavi Barate (3', 11', 24', 29', 35') and captain Arya More (27', 74', 76', 90+2', 90+4') scored five goals each. Sakshi Hiwale (1', 28', 33', 45+5') got four to her name. Payal Kothari (40', 80', 90+5') and substitute Urvi Salunkhe (65', 78', 88') got a hat-trick each. Pooja Gupta scored a brace (64', 90+6'), while Prerna Meshram (16'), Ritika Singh (42') and Shravani Nigade (75') netted one each. Andaman & Nicobar's Ishita Nagda scored an own goal (45+2').