Indian Women's League 2019-20: KRYPHSA, Gokulam advance to final

The show-piece is scheduled to be played on 13th February 2020.

Manipur-based Kangchup Road Young Physical and Sports Association (KRYPHSA) FC reached their maiden Hero Indian Women’s League (IWL) final after a hard-fought 3-1 win over Mumbai’s Kenkre FC in the first semi-final at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Monday (February 10, 2020).

Ratanbala Devi scored a brace to fire KRYPHSA into a 2-0 lead before Jyoti pulled one back in stunning fashion for Kenkre. Roja Devi added Kryphsa’s third in the second half, which served as an insurance goal to see them through.

Coming into the semi-finals on the back of a perfect run in the group stage -- winning all five of their matches while scoring 15 goals and conceding none, KRYPHSA were clear favourites.

[KH_ADWORDS type="4" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS]

The team from Manipur weren’t weighed down by expectations as they got the ball rolling and broke the deadlock early in the 18th minute.

Coupled with some questionable defending in this instance from Kenkre, Ratanbala Devi made the most of her half-chance, pulling her trigger from the edge of the box as the centre-halves remained reluctant to close her down. Her effort gently nestled the bottom right corner to put Kryphsa ahead by a goal.

Ratanbala Devi added her second in the 38th minute after being played down the left. She kept her nerves and with deft finesse, outsmarted keeper Monika Devi again to allow her side some breathing space.

Much against the run of play, Kenkre pulled one back going into the break, in the 43rd minute.

KRYPHSA keeper Linthoingambi Devi was yet to collect the ball from the back of the net in this tournament and it took a wonder strike by Jyoti from near the half-way line to catch her by surprise and break her resistance.

The complexion of the game had changed after that goal, with KRYPHSA approaching the game with more caution and less swagger after the break.

[KH_ADWORDS type="3" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS]

The nerves were settled in the 63rd minute by Roja Devi, who chested down an out-swinging corner on the edge of the box and with a couple of Kenkre shirts closing her down, volleyed it to perfection to restore the two-goal cushion.

Kenkre defended for their lives to remain in contention until the dying minutes, but KRYPHSA reigned and emerged victorious and are now on course for their first-ever IWL final, where they will face the winner of the second semi-final between high-flying Gokulam Kerala FC and defending champions Sethu FC.

Ratanbala Devi was adjudged to be the Hero of the Match for her match-winning brace.

Gokulam Kerala FC reached the Hero Indian Women’s League (IWL) final with a stunning 3-0 win in the second semi-final, dethroning defending champions Sethu FC at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Monday (February 10, 2020).

Manisha Kalyan broke the deadlock with a brilliant free-kick before Sabitra Bhandari added the second a minute before half-time. The Nepal international rubber-stamped Gokulam’s place in the final by adding the third goal late in the second half.

The match was well-poised for an even encounter, with the Malabarians being the IWL high-flyers and champions Sethu embracing the prospect of defending their crown.

[KH_ADWORDS type="2" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS]

Manisha Kalyan’s wonderful free-kick about 35 yards from goal went in off the underside of the crossbar to break the deadlock in the 21st minute, thus adding another wonder-strike to the growing inventory of IWL stunners for the season.

Talismanic forward Sabitra Bhandari continued her hot streak in front of goal, adding the second in the 44th minute after a wonderful through-ball from Kamala Devi had put her through on goal.

[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News | ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]

Sethu roared back in the second half and were left to rue a golden opportunity in the 53rd minute. A rare mistake from keeper Aditi Chauhan saw her throw the ball straight at the feet of Amsavalli, who wasted no time in playing Sandhiya through on goal. The ever-reliable forward, who has 13 goals to her name this season, blasted her shot over the bar to everyone’s disbelief.

The Madurai outfit didn’t give up the chase as the ball fell to Sandhiya again inside the six-yard area, with 15 minutes remaining on the clock. However, her effort was collected comfortably by Aditi Chauhan.

Sabitra Bhandari added the third, pouncing onto yet another delightful pass from Kamala Devi. She got away with sheer pace and lethal as ever, made no mistake.

Gokulam Kerala are now set to play their maiden IWL final, where they will be taking on Manipur’s KRYPHSA FC.