Sethu FC extend winning run, ARA, Kickstart FC bag crucial win in IWL

Elsewhere, Kickstart also consolidated the third spot in the IWL.

Kickstart FC picked up a convincing 2-0 win over Odisha Police in the Indian Women’s League (IWL) 2022 on Monday, May 2, 2022, at the 7th Battalion Stadium.

The Karnataka-based club were on the front foot right from the beginning. They came twice close to scoring but Phanjoubam Nirmala Devi and Thingbaijam Babysana Devi could not capitalize on the opportunities.

In the 29th minute, Asem Roja Devi found a breakthrough and pulled the trigger from close range. However, the referee blew her whistle for offside and the scoreline remained unchanged. 

Before the half-time whistle, Roja Devi, Babysana Devi and Lochana Munda all came close to scoring, but missed their target by a whisker. Following the restart, Kickstart finally took the lead via Irom Prameshwori Devi in the 54th minute. The forward drove a shot from close range and found the back of the net to make it 1-0.

In quick fire succession, substitute Yangoijam Kiranbala Chanu made it 2-0 for Kickstart FC. The forward low shot from inside the box could not be saved by Odisha Police goalkeeper Rajeswari Das. At the hour mark, however, Das went on to make a wonderful save off Yumlembam Pakpi Devi’s close range shot.

Odisha Police could not come back with any goals before full time and the game ended 2-0 in Kickstart’s favour.

Hans are yet to pick up any points in the IWL

ARA FC earned their second win in the Indian Women’s League (IWL) after beating Hans Women’s FC 0-3 today at the Capital Ground.

ARA FC made a quick start in the first half as they got the lead as soon as the 10th minute of the game. Manisha volleyed home with precision a rebound from the crossbar earning her side the lead. 

Thereafter the game opened up with both sides creating a lot of chances. The gameplay turned quite intense but none failed to find the back of the net. 

In the 37th minute ARA forward Neha got an open chance but side netted when Hans custodian Namrata Kaur fumbled and lost the ball leaving an open net.

Going into the break, things remained the same as ARA took a slender lead of 0-1.

After the breather, ARA seemed more confident and sharp on their target. And just near the hour mark, Nisha netted from a terrific setpiece making it 0-2 for ARA. Poonam passed the ball to Neha while she smashed it with power from the edge of the box.

Hans got their best chance in the 63rd minute to open their scoring when Jyoti Burrett tried to lob the keeper but ended up hitting the woodwork.

Finally, Manisha scored the winner making it a brace for herself in the 88th minute. She netted the ball by putting it through the Hans custodian's legs.

After this win, ARA now has six points from five matches and are placed seventh in the league table.

Sethu maintained pressure on highflying Gokulam by registering another three points to their tally

Sethu FC registered a thumping 5-0 win over Sirvodem SC in the Indian Women’s League (IWL) 2022 here at the Kalinga Stadium on Monday, May 2, 2022.

The side from Tamil Nadu began the game on the strong foot and scored from an early breakthrough in the 15th minute. Defender Durga’s towering cross was met by Renu Rani in the dangerous area and the forward made no mistake while squaring the move off. The No. 15 made it 2-0 only seven minutes later as Sethu FC looked to take control of the game.

The former IWL champions went into the break with a two-goal lead and four of their seven shots on target. On the other hand, Sirvodem struggled to penetrate the Sethu defence and could not muster any shot on target in the first 45 minutes.

Following the restart, Kioko Elizabeth Katungwa, who had been lively throughout the game, once again produced a moment of magic. The Kenyan forward made a superb solo run in the middle of the park and provided an inch-perfect assist to Devneta Roy. The forward in turn pulled off a great finish and tripled Sethu FC’s lead in the 66th minute.

In the 80th minute, it was Roy’s turn to deliver and how. The Sethu player connected a perfect volley from outside the box as the ball struck the underbar and took a bounce inside the goal before flying back onto the pitch. However, the referee pointed towards the centre circle, allowing a fourth goal for Sethu FC.

Ultimately in the dying seconds of the game, Durga made it 5-0 with a goal from close range to hand her side a big win and the three points.

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