Women's soccer: Keonjhar, Cuttack, Sundergarh enter SFs

Bargarh (Odisha), Aug 29: Title contenders Keonjhar women stormed into the semifinals with a massive 14-0 win against hapless Bhubaneswar in the ongoing Senior Women's Inter District Football Championship for PC Behera Trophy 2024, here. 

Cuttack and Sundergarh also entered the semifinals by beating Jharsuguda and Kendrapara respectively in their quarterfinal games.

Formidable Keonjhar humbled Bhubaneswar in the one-sided quarterfinal by a massive 14-0 margin on Wednesday to storm into the semis. 

The winners dominated the entire match, while Bhubaneswar women looked completely out of place against their much skilful and organised opponents, who played relentless attacking soccer.

In the lopsided affair, Sabita Mohanta netted five goals. She scored in the 2nd, 4th, 20th, 22nd and 70th minutes. 

Keonjhar's Pinky Purty scored a brace in the 7th and 27th minutes. Anisha Kumbhar too scored a double beating Bhubaneswar goalkeeper in the 55th and 83rd minutes.

Among others, Kuni Munda (24th minute), Kusum Munda (44th minute), Amruta Nayak (59th minute), Anjali Bhuyan (85th minute) and Anisha Thakur (88th minute) scored a goal each.

In another quarterfinal, Cuttack defeated Jharsuguda by five goals. For the winners, Barsha Mahakud netted a hat-trick by scoring in the 39th, 41st and 84th minutes. 

But the opening goal of the match was scored by Sunita Swain in the 6th minute of first half. Sheela Singh joined the party by scoring the fifth goal in the 76th minute in the second half.

Apart from Keonjhar and Cuttack, Sundergarh too entered the semifinal by beating Kendrapara with a 2-0 margin. 

Despite a goalless first half, Sundergarh scored a double to shatter Kendrapara's dream to make it into the semifinals.

For the winners, seasoned pro Rupashri Munda and Pratima Oram scored in the 48th and 58th minutes.