Oriental Cup 2026: Four girls' semifinalists set as Modern School rout Sapphire 6-0
Synopsis
Modern School's six-goal blitz against Sapphire International was the headline act on Day 5 of the Oriental Cup 2026, with Dhwani Bidada's hat-trick anchoring a performance that underlined their title credentials. All four girls' semifinal spots are now filled — setting up what promises to be a compelling final stretch at Dr. Ambedkar Stadium.
Key Takeaways
Vasant Valley School , Modern School , Step by Step School, Noida , and Bharti Public School are the four girls' semifinalists at the Oriental Cup 2026 .
Modern School recorded the day's biggest win, defeating Sapphire International School 6-0 , with Dhwani Bidada netting a hat-trick.
Vasant Valley School secured the final boys' quarterfinal berth by beating Kendriya Vidyalaya, R.K.
Puram 4-3 on penalties after a goalless draw.
Meher Gupta scored a brace as Step by Step School, Noida beat St.
Francis De Sales Senior Secondary School 2-0 .
The fourth-edition tournament runs from 7–16 July 2026 at Dr.
Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi , featuring over 1,500 student-athletes from 45+ teams and a ₹2.5 lakh scholarship programme.
Boys' quarterfinals take centre stage on Tuesday, 14 July .
Vasant Valley School, Modern School, Step by Step School, Noida, and Bharti Public School sealed their berths in the girls' semifinals of the Oriental Cup 2026 at Dr. Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi, on Monday, 13 July 2026, as Day 5 of the tournament delivered a full slate of quarterfinal results. The standout result of the day was Modern School's emphatic 6-0 demolition of Sapphire International School — the tournament's biggest margin of victory in the girls' draw so far.
Boys' Category: Vasant Valley Edge Through on Penalties
The day opened with the lone boys' fixture, as Vasant Valley School claimed the eighth and final quarterfinal spot in the boys' draw by defeating Kendriya Vidyalaya, R.K. Puram 4-3 on penalties after a goalless draw in regulation time. Both sides created several promising chances but could not find the net in 90 minutes, leaving the tie to be settled from the spot. Vasant Valley held their nerve in the shootout to complete the boys' quarterfinal line-up.
Modern School's Six-Goal Statement
Modern School produced the day's most commanding performance, routing Sapphire International School 6-0 in the girls' quarterfinals. Keerti Panchal opened the scoring as early as the 3rd minute, before Dhwani Bidada took centre stage with a superb hat-trick, netting in the 11th, 22nd, and 32nd minutes. Aradhya Sherawat contributed a brace, scoring in the 13th and 24th minutes, as Modern School turned in a relentless all-round display from the first whistle.
Vasant Valley, Step by Step and Bharti Complete the Four
In the opening girls' quarterfinal, Vasant Valley School edged past Government Girls Senior Secondary School, NIT Faridabad 1-0, with Tanvie Gogoi scoring the decisive goal in the 30th minute to send her side through.
Step by Step School, Noida advanced with a composed 2-0 win over St. Francis De Sales Senior Secondary School. Meher Gupta was the architect, scoring in the 7th and 27th minutes to give her side a comfortable passage to the last four.
The day's final fixture saw Bharti Public School defeat Mother's International School 2-0. Nikita struck in the 3rd minute before Araddhya Dhang doubled the advantage in the 23rd minute, wrapping up a convincing win.
Tournament Context and What Comes Next
The Oriental Cup 2026 — its fourth edition — is being held from 7 July to 16 July at Dr. Ambedkar Stadium and is expected to feature more than 1,500 student-athletes from over 45 teams across Delhi-NCR. The tournament carries a more-than-doubled prize pool and a ₹2.5 lakh scholarship programme for 10 deserving student-athletes. It is supported by Oriental Structural Engineers Pvt. Ltd. as Title Sponsor, with Nivia Sports as Football Partner, Ocean Beverages as Hydration Partner, and Central Park Resorts as Associate Partner.
Action resumes on Tuesday with the boys' quarterfinals, as the remaining contenders battle for a place in the last four.
Day 5 Results at a Glance
Boys' Category: Vasant Valley School 0(4)–0(3) Kendriya Vidyalaya, R.K. Puram
Girls' Category: Vasant Valley School 1–0 Government Girls Senior Secondary School, NIT Faridabad | Modern School 6–0 Sapphire International School | Step by Step School, Noida 2–0 St. Francis De Sales Senior Secondary School | Bharti Public School 2–0 Mother's International School
Point of View
With a hat-trick from Dhwani Bidada and a brace from Aradhya Sherawat, suggests a side capable of winning the title. The Oriental Cup's expanding footprint — 1,500 student-athletes, a doubled prize pool, a scholarship programme — reflects a broader push to institutionalise school-level football in Delhi-NCR, a space that has historically been underfunded relative to cricket. Whether that momentum translates into grassroots talent pipelines for the national women's programme remains the larger, unanswered question.
NationPress
13 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the four girls' semifinalists at the Oriental Cup 2026?
The four girls' semifinalists at the Oriental Cup 2026 are Vasant Valley School, Modern School, Step by Step School (Noida), and Bharti Public School. All four qualified on Day 5, played on 13 July 2026 at Dr. Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi.
What was the biggest result on Day 5 of the Oriental Cup 2026?
Modern School's 6-0 victory over Sapphire International School was the standout result of Day 5. Dhwani Bidada scored a hat-trick, Aradhya Sherawat added a brace, and Keerti Panchal opened the scoring in the 3rd minute.
How did Vasant Valley School qualify for the boys' quarterfinals?
Vasant Valley School beat Kendriya Vidyalaya, R.K. Puram 4-3 on penalties after a goalless draw in regulation time, claiming the eighth and final spot in the boys' quarterfinal draw.
What is the Oriental Cup 2026 and where is it being held?
The Oriental Cup 2026 is a school-level football tournament in its fourth edition, running from 7 to 16 July 2026 at Dr. Ambedkar Stadium in New Delhi. It features over 1,500 student-athletes from more than 45 teams across Delhi-NCR, with a ₹2.5 lakh scholarship programme for 10 deserving players.
What happens next at the Oriental Cup 2026?
The boys' quarterfinals are scheduled for Tuesday, 14 July 2026, with teams competing for the remaining semifinal spots. The girls' semifinals will follow as the tournament heads into its final stages ahead of the 16 July conclusion.
