Bhopal: From being a rag-tag team from Madhya Pradesh to being in the top flight of Indian women’s football, DFA Raisen’s journey has been one that few can dare to even dream. And, in a fresh tryst with history on Wednesday, the super girls coached by Param Avsar booked their place in the quarter-finals of the AIFF Women’s Youth League 2026–27 with a dominant 4-0 victory over Roots FC of Bengaluru at Chhattisgarh’s Narainpur.The lopsided win marked a milestone for women’s football in Madhya Pradesh, as it was the first time a women’s team from the state progressed to the knockout stage of a national championship, a quantum leap for the region’s sporting community and ambitions.Raisen turned the contest decisively in their favour through clinical finishing and a compact defensive display, leaving the Roots FC struggling to gain any foothold.Param’s charges took control early and continued to dominate play till the final whistle. Manju (No. 7) opened the scoring with a composed strike, giving Raisen a deserved lead, and later added a second, underscoring her influence on the game.Kiran (No. 21) matched her teammate’s tally with a well-taken brace, punctuating Raisen’s superiority and securing the emphatic result.Raisen’s midfield dictated play for large periods, combining quick transitions and patient build-up to stretch Bengaluru team across the park. The wing play proved particularly effective, with full-backs overlapping to supply quality service into the box and create the openings that led to the goals.Defensively, Raisen were resolute — goalkeeper and backline marshalled their area with timely interventions and maintained clean-sheet discipline despite sporadic pressure.Roots FC found themselves unable to convert possession into meaningful chances. Their attempts to break down Raisen’s structure were repeatedly cut out by a disciplined defensive block and energetic pressing in midfield that disrupted passing lanes and forced errors.“The win not only advances Raisen to the last eight of the national youth competition but also marks a significant milestone for football in Madhya Pradesh, signalling an unprecedented growth of the girls’ game at the grassroots level,” coach Param told TOI, beaming with pride.Staking his all to building the team, Param borrowed Rs 12 lakh in small loans, giving a bunch of talented girls a purpose, a goal.Wary not to rest on its laurels, Raisen will shift focus to the quarter-final against one of the tournament’s stronger sides, looking to carry their momentum and defensive solidity into the knockout phase.The AIFF Women’s Youth League will continue through late July, with Raisen’s progress closely followed by supporters and local officials, in the hope that their run of success can inspire greater investment and participation in women’s football across the region.
