Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Shillong: Meghalaya topped Group C of the Dr Talimeren Ao National Football Championship for Junior Girls in Narainpur, Chhattisgarh. They overcame a sluggish start to beat Punjab 2-1 on September 20. Punjab grabbed the lead in the 10th minute. Japleen Kaur curled a free-kick past Meghalaya goalkeeper Dawansaphi Snaitang.
Meghalaya equalized in the 61st minute. Punjab keeper Suhana blocked a Peacefully Pohplet free-kick, but Ripaia Phawa slammed the rebound home. The teams battled for the rest of the half. Then came the breakthrough. Peacefully struck a long-range free-kick in the 93rd minute that slipped through Suhana's hands to seal the result.
The victory gives Meghalaya six points from two matches. They previously crushed Jammu and Kashmir 8-0. Nagaland withdrew from the group, handing Meghalaya an early ticket to the semi-finals before Punjab plays Jammu and Kashmir on September 22. Meghalaya awaits the Group A winner on September 25. Reflecting on the tight finish, team officials noted, "Suhana managed to get a hand to the effort but could not keep it from crossing the line."
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