Orissa thrash Jharkhand in National Games women's football

Maintaining their winning spree, defending champions Orissa thrashed hosts Jharkhand 8-0 to round off their Group 'A' league encounters unbeaten in the women's football event of 34th National Games here on Thursday.

Jharkhand's defeat has paved way for Tamil Nadu to enter the semi-final by virtue of better goal difference whereas Orissa has already made it to the last four from Group 'A'.

Last edition's runners up Manipur and West Bengal, with six points from two matches each, have moved into the last four from Group 'B'.

In the match between Orissa and Jharkhand in the morning session today, Orissa took control right from the kick-off and did not leave any opportunity for the opponents to take
upper-hand throughout the proceedings.

Captain Sradhanjali Samantaray put Orissa into the lead in the 10th minute and they continued to mount pressure on the hosts, who had defeated Haryana 4-2 in the opener on last Sunday. Orissa led 5-0 at lemon-break.

While forward Sasmita struck a hat-trick (21st, 36th and 39th minutes), Samantaray scored two goals (10th and 71st). Pinky Bompal Magar (27th), Jhili Muna (47th) and Thunki Munda (58th) contributed with one goal each for the winners who finished with nine points from their group engagements.

Orissa will now take on the runners up of Group 'B', which will be decided after the Manipur-West Bengal encounter slated for later during the day.

The final will be played on February 19. In another Group 'B' match, Tripura gave a walk over to Assam as a majority of their players were unfit.