IWL 2023: Gokulam Kerala, Kickstart FC players dominate Khel Now's team of the season

The competition saw several praiseworthy performances in an action-packed season.

The 2022-23 season of the Indian Women’s League (IWL) was a huge success. There was quality football on display by footballers who gave a brilliant account of themselves. The positive reception by the fans for the competition goes to show how investment in women’s football and giving a platform to our women footballers can bear fruitful results.

Gokulam Kerala FC were sensational and went on to defend their title by defeating Kickstart FC in the final. Teams like Sethu FC and Lords FA also impressed and had players that caught the eye of the fans with their performances.

As we look back at the entertaining Indian Women’s League campaign, here is the Team of the Season for the 2022-23 season:

GK - Maibam Linthoingambi Devi (Kickstart FC)

Maibam Linthoingambi Devi was a huge factor in Kickstart FC’s journey to the final. The goalkeeper was awarded the golden glove award for finishing the campaign with the most amount of clean sheets (six) across the season.

RB - Shilky Devi (Kickstart FC)

Shilky Devi’s performances during the 2022-23 season of the Indian Women’s League won her a lot of fans. The full-back showed incredible qualities in both attack and defence. She is one of the players to watch out for in the coming years.

CB - K. Ngopawdi (Sethu FC)

Sethu FC had a rock at the back in K. Ngopawdi who was outstanding in the defence. Sethu FC reached the semi-final of the IWL 2022-23 and the centre-back was one of their best performers. Her composure with the ball and leadership qualities in defence shone brightly.

CB - Ashalata Devi (Gokulam Kerala FC)

Ashalata Devi is one of the best defenders in Indian football. She was excellent for Gokulam Kerala FC and guided them to the title with style. The versatile defender was precise with her passing and strong in her tackling. 

LB - Sorokhaibam Ranjana Chanu (Gokulam Kerala FC)

Gokulam Kerala FC’s wing play was difficult to contain due to full-backs like Sorokhaibam Ranjana Chanu in the lineup. The full-back made marauding runs down the channels and caused mayhem in the final third to add pressure on the opposition.

RM - Indumathi Kathiresan (Gokulam Kerala FC)

Indumathi Kathiresan is one of the best players in Indian football. She is a force to reckon with in women’s football and proved why she has that status with her incredible performance in the 2022-23 season of the IWL. She won the Hero of the League award after guiding Gokulam Kerala FC to the trophy.

CM - Astam Oraon (Kickstart FC) 

Astam Oraon emerged as one of the best midfielders in the 2022-23 season of the Indian Women’s League. She was the driving force for Kickstart FC that took them all the way to the final. Impressively, she won the Emerging Player of the League award as well.

CAM - Dangmei Grace (Gokulam Kerala FC)

Gokulam Kerala FC won the Indian Women’s League due to their prolific attacking options. Dangmei Grace was brilliant for the eventual champions as she scored three goals for the team. Her vision, playmaking and creativity were on full display during the course of the season.

LM - Camille Rodriguez (Lords FA)

Camille Rodriguez was one of the best-performing foreigners in the Indian Women’s League this term. The midfielder from the Philippines scored eight goals for Lords FA. Unfortunately, she did not get ideal support from the rest of her teammates as the team failed to make it into the playoffs.

ST - Kajol D'Souza (Sethu FC)

Kajol D’Souza scored four goals in a single game for Sethu FC in a 6-0 win over Churchill Brothers FC and the Indian football fraternity immediately took notice of her talent. Eventually, the forward scored 10 goals across the campaign.

ST - Sabitra Bhandari (Gokulam Kerala FC)

Sabitra Bhandari was in a league of her own. She took Gokulam Kerala FC to the title with 29 goals in the 2022-23 season of the Indian Women’s League. The striker from Nepal won the golden boot for her goals. The 27-year-old has a knack for scoring goals thanks to her movement in the box, prowess in aerial duels and physicality.