Manipur, Orissa girls serve warning on their rivals

Chayndigarh, July 10 (UNI) Defending champions Manipur and runners-up Orissa served stern warning to their respective opponents by recording thumping victories in their opening matches of the third Girls Under-17 Junior National Football Championship here today.

Manipur expectedly the ashed Jammu and Kashmir by 17-0 in Cluster A opening fixture. At the adjacent ground, Orissa proved their overall superiorty against Bihar by routing them 7-0 in a Cluster B outing.

Manipur, captained by international M Bem-Bem Devi, dominated the proceedings. The Jammu and Kashmir players defended their goal with all eleven players to reduce the winning margin of Manipur who fought the battle in the rival's territory.

The star performer for Manipur was Y Kamala Devi who pierced the J and K goal seven times but could not perform the three-in-a-row feat. Her goals came in the 7th, 14th, 28th, 38th, 49th, 50th and 73rd minutes.

M Mandakini Devi (40th, 57th and 80th), N Montesori Chanu (35th and 55th), N Chan-Chan Chanu (26th and 46th) and M Bem-Bem Devi (23rd) were the other scorers for Manipur.

In the second match of the day, Orissa owed their fluent triumph to Jhili Munda who pumped in four goals but was denied a hat-trick.

She opened the Orissa account in the first minute itself with a fine goal. Jhili went on to score more goals in the 12th, 33rd and 44th minutes. Louchana Munda (55th), Srimati (20th) and Supriya Rautray (50th) contributed one goal each to swell Orissa's tally.

Two matches will be played in the evening session.

UNI XC DP PM GC1432