AMMA Football Club, Nagpur started with a resounding win in the opener but came crashing down in their very next game. At the middle of their campaign, the team would look to bouncing back and record their second win when they take on Mumbai district runners-up PIFA in their third match of the Western India Football Association (WIFA) Women’s Football League at the Cooperage ground on Monday. The league is a qualifying tournament for the AIFF Indian Women’s League (IWL). The match will be played at 3.30 pm.

 

With just three points in their kitty, Amma FC will have to pull up their socks and need to win all their remaining matches to remain in contention of the semi-final berth. They have their task cut out against FIBA who thrashed Pacangan FC, Satara 11-0 in their last match and are high on confidence. Nagpur will be without their captain Sunita Yadav who has returned to Nagpur after her grandfather’s death after playing their game against Footie First. Nagpur will have to work out on a new combination in the midfield with Sunita missing the third match. “She (Sunita) has decided to return back for the tournament.

 

She will miss the match against FIBA but will play the remaining matches,” informed coach Annie Paul while talking with ‘The Hitavada.’ Nagpur team will have to improve on their scoring percentage as they have a habit of missing easy chances. The forward line need to arrest this problem and start scoring goals which would help them improve their ‘goals scored’ tally. The defence will have to pick themselves up from the demoralising 0-7 defeat immediately. Trupti Sakhre, Annie Anthony, Kiran Jadhav, Vinita Bhalavi, Rani Kadam, Akansha Shelare, Nazah Mistri, whoever plays at the defence will have to show combination and create a wall for the opponents. “The girls now know how to approach the match. We are working on the forward line and their scoring chances.

 

The players are skilful and they would perform better this time,” said Annie. On the defence she said, “We need to improve our man-marking. It will be very important in our remaining games. The midfielders will also have to work a bit hard helping the forwards and assisting the defence too,” said Annie. In the other matches of the day, India Rush will take on Pacangan FC at 7.30 am while Footie First will meet Next Sports Academy at 10 am. Amma FC team: Goalkeepers: Stanzin Tsomo, Bhubneshwari Pendam. Defenders: H Yadav, Trupti Sakhre, Annie Anthony, Kiran Jadhav, Vinita Bhalavi, Rani Kadam, Akansha Shelare, Nazah Mistri. Midfielders: Cristal Gomes, Muskan Upadhayay, Rakshanda Soneka. Forwards; Ria Pinto, Nidhi Verma, Punam Kumari, Nikita Shende, Sneha Uikey. Officials: Coaches: Annie Louis Paul, Daryl Samuel, Kunal Meshram, Peter Anthony. Managers: Roshni Khobragade, Priyanka Lanjewar.