“Due to rains there is lot of water-logging which has left the Sector 17 Football Stadium ground soft and slippery. If both semi-finals are played there, the ground would not be fit for the final. Consequently, the technical committee decided that only the final match should be played at the Sector 17 Football Stadium,” said CFA secretary Rakesh Bakshi.
Meanwhile, last year’s runners-up and Group B champions Manipur will meet Group A runners-up Sikkim in the first semi-final at 7 a.m. The Manipur team looks a well-balanced side. In five matches they have played, two in the preliminary cluster round and three in the quarter-final league, Manipur have scored 39 goals and conceded only one. On Monday, Manipur upset defending champions Orissa by 2-1 to top their group.
Sikkim are expected to give them a good fight. Sikkim have played six matches, including three in the preliminary cluster round programme. They netted 43 goals and conceded two.
Teams:Manipur: O Roshini Devi, S Meera Devi, L Ashalata Devi, Ch. Basanthi Devi, H Bijaya Devi, T Premi Devi, Ph Bina Devi, N Monteshori Chanu, S Rinaroy Devi, E Bindiyarani Devi, Jotimala Devi, K Rameshori Devi, W Radharani Devi, Th Keinakumar Devi, S Tejibala Devi, Chim Chim Serto Aimol and Th Umabati Devi.
Sikkim:Yanghbnla Bhutia, Bhoj KUmari Subba, Ash Maya Subba, Phurp Dolma Bhutia, Dawkit Lepcha, Lako Phuti Bhutia, Nim Doma Bhuita, Parbitra Limboo, Anita Rai, Mongmit Lepcha, Nima Lhamu Bhutia, Bingina Rai, Dhan Kumari Sharma, Treaza Lepcha, Som Rani Rai, Tshering Doma Lepcha, Sujata Rai and Phutey Bhutia.
Meanwhile, in the evening session, five-time champions Orissa will meet Haryana in the second semi-final match. Group A leaders Haryana are featuring in the final for the first time. With an all-win record lion-hearted Haryana played five matches and scored maximum number of 46 goals and conceded only one. Out of five matches they have played so far, Orissa have won five with convencing margins before going down fighting to their arch rivals Manipur by 1-2 in the quarter-final league.
Teams:Orissa Sita Sharma, Phulamani Tudu, Pravasini Parida, Rashmita Patra, Mamita Behera, Pratima Minz, Janjali Sahu, Jabamani Soren, Deogi Murmu, Lochana Munda, Sasmita Ghatuary, Madhusmita Barik, Sushama Kangadi, Kunti Kumari Lakara, Manisha Tirkey, Laxmi Tudu and Swarna Mayee Samal.
Haryana: Raveena, Riya Arya, Priya, Reena, Pooja, Sonia, Taruna, Manpreet Kaur, Preeti, Seema, Priyanka Kaushik, Ritu Rani, Shalu, Kavita, Monika, Nisha, Laxmi and Komal Rani.