PIFA thrash Hans Women, Odisha draw with Indian Arrows in IWL

Sports Odisha shared the point with Indian Arrows in the final contest of the day.

PIFA Sports registered their first win of Hero Indian Women’s League (IWL) 2022 in style, defeating Hans Women 6-0 at the Capital Ground in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday, April 19, 2022.

The Mumbai-based club found the breakthrough in the 21st minute. Nisilia Majaw converted an outrageous assist from near the halfway line by Iawanlang Nongbet. In a quickfire setup, Lalunsiami exposed Hans Women’s sloppy defending. She put the ball past the goalkeeper to make it 2-0 for PIFA Sports.

Despite controlling the majority of the ball possession, Hans Women could not deliver in the final third. On the other end, speedster Lalnunsiami kept troubling the Delhi club’s defence. She eventually scored her second in the 40th minute to make it 3-0.

After switching sides, PIFA Sports took off right from the get-go with Karen Pais beating the opposition goalkeeper from close range to make it 4-0. The skipper controlled a perfectly lobbed free-kick from Afreen Peerbhoy before getting onto the scoresheet. 

It just kept getting better for the side from Colaba as a few minutes past the hour-mark, substitute Akanksha Kandalkar made it 5-0. She took her chance from long range only to find Hans Women goalkeeper off the line. To put an end to the game, Nisilla Majaw completed her brace by adding her side’s sixth goal in the 67th minute.

The winning side, although, was dealt an injury blow in the 85th minute as Lalnunsiami was stretchered off with a shoulder injury. Nevertheless, they kept on with their attacking display. Substitute Kimberly Fernandez almost scored from a direct free-kick, with her shot hitting the wrong side of the crossbar.

Hans Women attempted to pull one back before the full-time whistle, but to no avail as the game ended 6-0 in PIFA Sports’ favour.

Sports Odisha and Indian Arrows play out stalemate

Sports Odisha and Indian Arrows share the points after a goalless draw at the 7th Battalion Ground in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 in the Hero Indian Women’s League (IWL).

From the first instance, the game seemed to be a cagey affair. Arrows kept a good share of the possession as they created a few chances but failed to find the target. Odisha on the other hand made some good moves based on the counter-attack but couldn't break the deadlock.

After the halftime break, Odisha seemed to be sharper in their organisation. Manisa Panna created a good chance from the freekick but the Arrows' defence was alert to neutralise the threat.

Odisha completely dominated the second half. In spite of the continuous pressing game, the Arrows sustained the pressure and made sure they earned a clean sheet for themselves. The deadlock remained till the last minute as none of the sides could find the back of the net. 

With this stalemate, the Arrows remain on top of the table with four points from two matches. Followed by Sports Odisha in the second spot with the same points in Indian Women's League (IWL).