A moment from the match between Orissa and Mizoram at Diphu Stadium on Thursday. Picture by Sarat Sarma

Nagaon, May 8: Defending champions Orissa entered the final of 4th sub-junior (under-17) girls’ national football championship defeating Mizoram 3-1 in the first semi-final match today.

Orissa played an attacking game right from the first minute and made constant forays into their opponent’s territory. Their efforts bore fruit when mid-fielder Supriya Routray found the net in the fifth minute.

She made two more attempts in the 11th and the 18th minutes of the match but they were foiled by Mizoram goalkeeper C.K. Lulmenpuii.

In her third attempt in the 44th minute through a precise corner shot, Supriya engineered the lead for Orissa.

Two minutes later, Mizoram right-winger Lulrunwaii scored a goal, which brought some smiles back into the Mizoram camp. However, their joys were shortlived when Orissa striker Rajani Oram scored the third and final goal of the match in the 68th minute to seal the match in Orissa’s favour.

Several thousand fans from different parts of the hill district gathered at the Karbi Anglong Sports Association’s Diphu ground to enjoy the semi-final match today.

Orissa was the quarter-final league champion from Group A, defeating Tamil Nadu, Haryana and Sikkim. Mizoram was the quarter-final runners-up team from Group B. They won against Kerala and Goa but lost to Manipur.

Hosts Assam left the tournament in the pre-quarter level.

Manipur will meet Tamil Nadu in the last semi-final tomorrow. The final will be played on Sunday.