Date:11/05/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/05/11/stories/2007051106001900.htm

Sport - Football

Manipur in final

Rourkela: Reigning champions Manipur entered the final of the 15th senior National women's football championship demolishing Goa 5-0 in a one-sided semifinal at the Ispat Stadium here on Thursday.

Manipur, which led 3-0 at half-time, will clash with Bengal in the final on Saturday. Bengal had emerged easy winner against host Orissa 4-0 in the other semifinal on Wednesday.

A hat-trick by striker N.G. Bala Devi, who scored four of the five goals, was the highlight of the semifinal in which the Goans virtually presented no threat to the rival goal.

Bala Devi opened the scoring in the sixth minute and fired in two more goals in the 32nd and 40th minutes to complete her hat-trick.

Striker Gitarani Chanu fired home the fourth goal in the 47th minute, while Bala Devi found the net again a minute before the final hooter. — PTI