Can Mizoram, Tripura, and Maharashtra Secure the Top Spot in Group D of the Swami Vivekananda Men’s U20 NFC?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Mizoram showcased an impressive performance with an 8-0 victory.
- Maharashtra continues to challenge for the top spot with a strong 4-1 win.
- All three leading teams have six points, increasing the stakes for upcoming matches.
- Niranjan Gaikwad of Maharashtra is in excellent scoring form.
- Competition in the tournament is fierce, with every match crucial for semifinal qualification.
Narainpur, May 16 (NationPress) Mizoram and Maharashtra achieved victories in their respective Group D matches during the Swami Vivekananda Men’s U20 National Football Championship against Himachal Pradesh and Jharkhand, held at the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Ground on Friday. In the morning session, Mizoram triumphed over Himachal with a score of 8-0, while Maharashtra secured a 4-1 win against Jharkhand.
The standout player for Mizoram was Joel Lalramengmawia, who remarkably scored four goals (43’, 51’, 54’ p, 61’), contributing significantly to the team's performance, alongside goals from Mesak C. Lalrinngheta (46’), Ngurthanmawia (75’), John Lalrinawma (80’), and Stephen Ngurchhuanmawia (88’ p).
Maharashtra's match against Jharkhand saw all goals scored in the second half, with Niranjan Gaikwad netting a hat-trick (48’, 80’, 90+4’) to propel his team closer to the top of Group D. Although Jharkhand managed a brief equalizer through Krishna Hembrom (68’), Gaikwad quickly restored the lead. Arhev Jodhwani (90+3’) sealed the victory with a goal in injury time.
The competition is heating up as the leading trio in the group – Mizoram, Tripura, and Maharashtra – all hold six points each. However, Maharashtra has played one match more than the others, making the race for the semifinals even more critical.
On Thursday, Manipur and Punjab also recorded wins in Group C, with Manipur defeating Uttar Pradesh 2-0 and Punjab edging past Sikkim 3-2. Despite their victory, Manipur sits fourth in their group with three points from two matches, while Uttar Pradesh remains in first place with six points from three matches, sharing the same points as Punjab, but leading due to a superior head-to-head record.