PUNE: Maharashtra’s (WIFA) women squad created history, as they entered the quarterfinal of the AIFF Senior Women's National Football Championship for the first time ever, after putting up a superb show to keep Sikkim to a 1-1 draw in the closing Group-E in Kozhikode on Friday, and in doing so, 

Trupti Deep of Gondia District scored for Maharashtra, while Suju Hangma Limbo of Sikkim equalized to share the spoils.

Both Maharashtra and Sikkim ended with 7 points each. But Maharashtra with a stronger goal-differential of plus 8 (GF 9, GA 1) as compared to Sikkim’s plus 7 (GF 8, GA 1) won the group and qualified for the quarterfinals. Maharashtra will face Mizoram who topped Group-G in the quarterfinal.

Both Maharashtra and Sikkim showed strong intent and elected to play an open offensive game and there was end to end action but the scoreboard stayed remained undisturbed at the break.

After the first half finished goalless Maharashtra’s speedy striker Trupti Deep scored of an Akanksha Kandalkar assist in the 62nd minute to bring happiness in her camp. However, Maharashtra was unable to hold on to the advantage as five minutes later the battling Sikkim side regained parity through Suju Hangma Limbo’s strike.

Maharashtra goalkeeper Anjali Barke also had a good day behind the bar and made several key stops from one-on-one scenarios to ensure her team surrendered only one goal.

Edited - SportsAction / Inputs - Agency