Dr. T Ao junior girls’ championship: Seven for Punjab, nine for Uttarakhand

DIMAPUR — A goal-laden Wednesday at the Dr. Talimeren Ao Junior Girls’ National Football Championship 2025–26 (Tier 2) saw Punjab hand hosts Nagaland a crushing 7–0 defeat, while Uttarakhand demolished Andaman & Nicobar 9–0 in a showcase of attacking dominance.

In Match No. 10 at Chümoukedima, Punjab overwhelmed Nagaland with superior finishing and control, enjoying 54% possession and firing 12 shots on target.

Nisha opened the scoring for Punjab in the 12th minute before Joya stole the show with a four-goal blitz (45+4’, 53’, 66’, 86’). Harmeen added a brace in the 73rd and 83rd minutes as Punjab sealed a commanding victory.

Nagaland struggled to threaten, failing to register a shot on target and managing only one off-target attempt despite moments of grit.

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Punjab’s disciplined defence and relentless forward play saw them commit just five fouls while forcing ten offsides with their high line.

Earlier, in Match No. 9, Uttarakhand produced one of the tournament’s most dominant performances, routing Andaman & Nicobar 9–0 on the back of an extraordinary double hat-trick from forward Khushi Pal (2’, 17’, 36’, 57’, 78’, 90’).

Shruti added another in the 21st minute, while Ku Varsha struck twice late on (89’, 90+4’) to complete the rout.

Uttarakhand took control from the outset, dictating the tempo with 69% ball possession and unleashing 32 shots on target in a completely one-sided contest.

The afternoon belonged to forward Khushi Pal (No. 10), who produced a stunning six-goal haul. Her relentless finishing tore through the Andaman & Nicobar backline and stands out as one of the most remarkable individual displays of the tournament so far.

Shruti added to the tally with a composed strike in the 21st minute, before Ku Varsha netted twice late in the match, scoring in the 89th and 90+4 minutes to round off the emphatic win.

Andaman & Nicobar struggled to create any meaningful threats, managing only a single off-target attempt and failing to register a shot on goal. Uttarakhand’s disciplined defensive shape ensured the opposition had no openings to exploit.