Defending champions Odisha and 16-time winners Manipur stormed into the final of the 20th Women's National Football Championships after defeating Jharkhand and Delhi respectively in the semifinals played simultaneously in Golaghat and Bokakhat today.
Free-scoring Manipur thrashed first-time semifinalists Delhi 7-0 while Odisha blanked a determined Jharkhand 3-0.
The final will be played here on May 12 in Golaghat.
In the first semifinal, it all began in the 24th minute when Manipur captain and AIFF Women's Player of the Year Oinam Bembem Devi broke Delhi's resilience with a delectable left-footer that crashed into the top corner of the net.
It was Manipur all the way from there on. India forward Bala Devi netted a hat-trick either side of halftime with other India players Dangmei Grace, Parmeshwori Devi and rookie Ngonbi Devi also getting on the scoresheet.
The second semifinal was a not as much a lopsided affair with Jharkhand -- full of mostly U-17 players -- putting up a valiant display with their never-say-die attitude.
What clicked for Odisha, who have been invincible so far in their bid to retain the trophy, was a combination of individual brilliance and profligacy from their opponents.
For Odisha, Jabamani Soren struck twice while Subha Prava Rout scored the third goal.
