Gokulam Kerala rout Hans Women; Kickstart edge Odisha Sports in IWL

Sirvodem SC also recorded their first point on board after a draw with PIFA.

Gokulam Kerala FC continued to show their dominance in the fifth edition of the Indian Women’s League (IWL) as they bagged home another emphatic 9-0 victory against Hans Women FC. The Malabarian side had an effective and creative outing as they completely dominated the game riding on Manisha Kalyan’s sheer brilliance.

Captain Dangmei Grace scored the opener for Gokulam in the first minute of the game. Followed by a screamer from Ashalata Devi in the 18th minute increasing the lead to 2-0. 

It was Manisha Kalyan who next engraved a brace to her name on the score-sheet with two quick back-to-back goals in the 21st and 26th minute. Finally, in the nick of halftime, Manisha bagged one assist when she created a ball for Ghanaian international Elshaddai, finding the back of the net in the 45+2th minute.

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Hans was left with almost no chance to play in the first half as they gasped for possession and opportunity all across the pitch.

Coming back from the breather the riot continued. As defender Samiksha found the back of the net with a long-ranger in the 45th minute. In the 47th minute, Elshaddai made it a brace for herself scoring amidst a chaotic Hans defense.

Gokulam continued to share a major proportion of the possession as they kept on creating chances. Substitute Win Theingi Tun scored to make it 8-0 in the 66th minute with a headed goal from a beautiful Dalima Chhibber cross.

Finally in the regulation time, Jyoti bagged the winner tapping a rebound as the Hans custodian made an initial save to an out-swinging corner from Dalima Chhibber.

After this win, Gokulam remains at the top of the table with nine points from three matches without conceding a single goal so far.

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PIFA, Sirvodem share points

PIFA and Sirvodem SC shared home points as both the teams were held with a goalless draw in the Indian Women’s League (IWL) at the 7th Battalion Stadium.The game turned out to be one of the missed chances as PIFA custodian Anjali Barke turned out to be a wall today saving the day for her side with some terrific saves.Though both the sides created some good chances in the first half it remained all square going into the break.

After the breather, Sirvodem created a lot of pressure but failed to pass through the PIFA custodian as she kept on denying every ball targeting the net.

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Jyoti made some good moves in the attacking third but failed to make a cut to the scoreline.

PIFA got their best chance in the game in the89th minute when forward Akansha went one on one with the Sirvodem goalie, but Afsan was alert enough to save it.

Finally, the game ended as a goalless draw as none of the sides turned out to break the deadlock. After this draw PIFA goes fourth in the league table with 4 points from three matches whereas Sirovodem turns tenth by bagging their first point in the league.

Kickstart FC edge Odisha Sports

High-flying Kickstart FC picked up a last-gasp 1-0 win against Odisha Sports in their 3rd clash of the Indian Women’s League (IWL) 2022 at the Kalinga Stadium on Saturday, April 23.

The Karnataka-based side started the game on the stronger foot, displaying good passages of play on occasions. Kickstart had four of their seven attempts on target in the first half, but couldn’t find the back of the net. On the other hand, Odisha Sports too found a couple of breakthroughs, but couldn’t capitalise from either.

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After finishing 0-0 in the first 45 minutes, the two sides looked all set for a solid second half. Kickstart in particular managed 16 shots on goal. Credit to Odisha Sports defence, the scoreline remained unchanged until the dying minutes of the game.

On the 90th minute, Irom Prameshwori Devi found space on the right flank and delivered a dangerous cross inside the box. The sudden force of the cross led to confusion between Odisha Sports’ defenders and Asem Roja Devi found herself in an advantageous position. The forward quickly reacted and lobbed the ball over Odisha Sports goalkeeper Sasmita Parida to give her side a crucial lead.

Odisha Sports had very little time left to equalise and in the end settled for an upsetting first defeat of the IWL season. Meanwhile, Kickstart made it three wins in as many games, rubbing shoulders with league leaders Gokulam Kerala.

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