DR. T. AO JR. GIRLS CHAMPIONSHIP
Chandigarh registered a convincing 3–0 victory over Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) with a strong second-half performance in the Dr. T. Ao National Junior Girls Championship at Chümoukedima Football Stadium on Saturday.
Chandigarh began on the front foot, controlling the possession and kept the J&K defence under sustained pressure. Their first attempt on target came in the 12th minute but was comfortably collected by the J&K goalkeeper.
J&K responded in the 16th minute with a precise through-ball into the box, but the Chandigarh keeper charged out to block. In added time, J&K’s Rutsa Hameed (11) came close to break the deadlock, only to be denied by the keeper. The first half ended goalless.
The second half saw Chandigarh intensify their attack. J&K were awarded a penalty in the 55th minute, but Naina Devi (4) sent her effort over the crossbar. Chandigarh capitalised soon after, earning a penalty in the 66th minute which Kajol (11) converted to give her side the lead.
Alisha (6) doubled the advantage in the 73rd minute with a powerful long-range strike.
Chandigarh sealed the win in the 83rd minute when a precise forward pass split the J&K defence, allowing Kajol to slot home her second goal.
Despite the emphatic win, Chandigarh failed to progress to the semifinal as Assam secured two victories in their pool. Assam will face Uttar Pradesh in the semifinal on December 8, with the winner meeting Maharashtra in the final on December 11.