Women's Soccer: Semifinal shock for title favourites Keonjhar

Bargarh (Odisha), Aug 31: Title favourites and the team in form Keonjhar faced a shocking exit against Sundergarh B in the semifinal of the ongoing Senior Women's Inter District Football Championship for PC Behera Trophy 2024, here. 

Despite their fine run and heavy wins till semifinal, formidable Keonjhar were shocked on Friday by Sundergarh B with a solitary goal in the intense battle for the final. 

Despite a barren first half, experienced Pramila Kishan netted the all important goal of the match in the 66th minute in the second half for Sundergarh B.

In the second semifinal as expected, Cuttack proved to be more organised and professional against their  neighbours Jagatsinghpur as they stormed into the final with a 2-1 victory.

All the three goals of the match were scored in the first half. Anita Naik drew first blood for Jagatsinghpur in the 8th minute. 

But Cuttack counter acted fiercely and netted the equaliser  in the 10th minute through Laxmipriya Lenka. The second goal for Cuttack and the final goal of the match was scored by Barsha Mahakud in the 15th minute.

Despite repeated attempts Jagatsinghpur could never bounce back into the match. Both sides in spite of repeated attempts after the interval could not change the 2-1 shoreline.

In the final on Sunday, Cuttack will play Sundergarh B. But the team that enjoyed the local crowd support a lot was Keonjhar, who had one bad match in the semifinal and were forced to bow out.