Tripura shock favourites West Bengal

Chandigarh, July 20 (UNI) Title favourites West Bengal got a big jolt as they suffered a 1-2 defeat at the hands of Tripura in a crucial Group-II league match at the Junior Girls Under-17 National Football Championship here today.

West Bengal took the lead in the 15th minute but Tripura reversed the tide with an attacking game and equalised through Anita Debbarma (21st minute). In the second half, Shyamali Debbarma (52nd) netted the winner for the North-Eastern State.

It was Tripura's first victory in their second match while West Bengal lost their first encounter. West Bengal had earlier beaten Uttar Pradesh in their first quarter-final league match.

Tripura next meet Uttar Pradesh while West Bengal will cross swords with last year's runners-up Orissa in their last and decisive league matches on July 22.

Orissa crossed yet another hurdle effortlessly as they thrashed Uttar Pradesh by 8-0 for their second successive triumph. With six points from two matches, Orissa have strengthened their chances to qualify for semi-final from Group II.

Keeping possession of the ball throughout the match, Orissa toyed with UP. Sradhanjali Sahoo (73rd, 82nd), Preyenka Sahoo (50th and 63rd), Lolchana Munda (15th, 70th), Santoseni Oram (45th) and Jhele Munda (10th) wrecked the Uttar Pradesh defence to help Orissa post an authoritative 8-0 win.

Tomorrow's fixtures: Haryana vs Tamil Nadu and Manipur vs Punjab UNI XC PS DH DB2007