Gokulam Kerala reclaim top spot in IWL, Sirvodem SC record maiden win

Kickstart SC also extended their winning run in the competition.

Gokulam Kerala came from behind in the Indian Women’s League (IWL) to register a 2-1 victory against Indian Arrows at the Capital Ground in Bhubaneswar on Monday, May 9.

The AIFF’s developmental side took a surprise lead in the sixth minute of the game after Gokulam Kerala goalkeeper Aditi Chauhan’s pass was cut off in between by Naroem Priyangka Devi. The No. 10 spotted the goalkeeper away from the line and took her chance from long range to beat her. 

The young side kept their lead for almost half an hour, before the defending champions hit back with an equaliser. Elshaddai Acheampong carried the ball towards the box and blasted a shot in the near post, past the Indian Arrows goalkeeper to make it 1-1 in the 36th minute.

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The Ghanaian forward has been in red-hot form since the beginning of the IWL season. She went on to score another, inside the opening minutes of the second half. Manisha Kalyan chipped the ball into the near post and Elshaddai’s header left the Arrows goalkeeper unmoved as the scoreline depicted 2-1 in Gokulam Kerala’s favour, on the 47th minute.

Overall, Gokulam Kerala dominated the possession stats, but the Indian Arrows delivered a spirited performance nevertheless. The win takes the Malabarians back to the top of the IWL table, while Arrows remain in the fifth position.

Sirvodem SC register maiden win of IWL 2021-2

Sirvodem SC registered their maiden win of the Indian Women’s League (IWL) 2021-22 season on Monday, May 9 at the 7th Battalion Ground, in Bhubaneswar. The Goan side defeated SSB Women 2-1.

Sirvodem SC started the game on the attacking foot, coming inches close to scoring on occasions. Finally, on the 32nd minute, Sanfida Nongrum gave them the lead as she netted from close range.

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Both sides came close to scoring through Femina Raj Valappil and Ngangom Anibala Devi, respectively, before halftime, but could not capitalise. Following the restart, SSB Women charged forward and looked more lethal in attack.

Eventually in the 61st minute, Sandhya Kachhap scored the equaliser for the West Bengal-based side. The forward latched on to a loose ball inside the box and fired it into the net, off the crossbar. 

However, Sirvodem SC immediately regained their lead in the 62nd minute. Arpita Pednekar, who came close to scoring in the first half, finally found the back of the net from close range. 

For Sirvodem, the three points mean the world and they will be looking to grab as many points as they can in the upcoming games. Meanwhile, this could be an alarming result for SSB Women who have now been defeated thrice in a row.

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Kickstart extend winning run

Kickstart maintains their winning run after beating Hans Women FC 0-4 tonight in the Indian Women's League (IWL) at the Kalinga Stadium. Hans suffered another loss as they are yet to find winning ways in the competition this season.

Kickstart made a quick start to the game as they bagged the lead as soon as the seventh minute in the game when Roja got herself one on one with the Hans custodian and did no mistake to slot it home.

Thereafter the Karnataka-based side took the momentum of the game but failed to increase their lead as they were unable to capitalize on the chances created. 

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Before the lemon break, Kickstart got their best chance to double the lead when they were awarded a spot-kick but the former failed to turn into fruit. 

After the breather Kickstart seemed to be with a better composure as they doubled the lead within the 48th minute. Babysana struck a screamer from yards away to make it 0-2 for her side.

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Just at the edge of the hour mark Kiranbala Chanu made it 0-3 for Kickstart as she rightly utilized a howler from Hans custodian Tanvi Mavani. Minutes after the lead increased to 0-4 as substitute Lawmching found the net from distance in the 60th minute.

The high press from Kickstart rattled the porous Hans defense forcing too many mistakes inside the box.Hans made a change in their custodian side and this turned out to be a saviour for the losing side as they refrained from conceding more.

After this loss, Hans continues to remain at the bottom of the points table as Kickstart maintains the third spot with six wins in seven games.

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