Manipur girls started off their football campaign on a winning note beating Jharkhand by 5-1 goals in the 37th National Games played at Tilak Maidan Stadium, Goa.
Dominating the first half play, Manipur got the breakthrough in the 10th minute with N Sibani Devi finding the perfect angle to the net and skipper I Premeshwori Devi added the second goal in the 15th minute. Giving little breathing space to Jharkhand, T Thoibisana consolidated Manipur's position with the third goal in the 18th minute.
Jharkhand began to cover the ground in the second half but feeble and misdirected shots cost them the opportunity. Manipur unfurled once again and this time it was L Babina who scored in the 64th minute to tighten their grip.
But somehow, Jharkhand jolted Manipur’s defence in the 82nd minute, winning a penalty and Sudha Ankita Tirkey made no mistake in converting the goal. But it only stirred Manipur wrath as M Ambika Devi drove home the winning goal in the 87th minute for a 5-1 victory.
Mentioned may be made that Manipur is clubbed in Group A along with Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Jharkhand, while in Group B are Odisha, Chandigarh, Haryana and Goa.
In their second match, Manipur will play West Bengal on October 29 at 4 pm.
