Eastern Sporting Union continue winning ways as Gokulam hammer Indira Gandhi ASE

Elsewhere, Rising Student's Club and KRYHPSA played out a stalemate.

Eastern Sporting Union continued their winning run in the Hero Indian Women’s League 2017-18 with a 3-1 victory over India Rush Soccer Club at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here in Shillong on Saturday (March 31, 2018)

Kamala Devi struck twice before half-time (7th and 27th minute) before Dalima Chibber pulled one back for Rush in the 86th minute. Ranjibala struck late in the 90+3rd minute to round off the goals.

Eastern Sporting dominated from the word go as Prameshwori made her famous runs down the left. One of those runs brought the breakthrough as Kamala was at the receiving end of one of her crosses to score in the 7th minute.

Kamala saw an overhead kick saved by the keeper in the 19th before Sweety found Ranjibala in the clear in the 24th. The second goal arrived soon after when Kamala struck again in the 27th to make it 2-0.

Ranjibala shot wide in the 37th before Prameshwori too did the same a minute later. Panthoi who was otherwise a mere spectator was finally forced into save by Grace in the 43rd. That was the only bit of clear chance by Rush as the first half came to an end.

The second half began on a similar note as India Rush found it difficult to get the ball past the halfway line. Kamala layed one off to Thahenbei but she shot wide. India Rush won a free-kick in the 72nd but that didn’t give much headway.

Just when it seemed no goals were left in the match, Dalima scored from 40 yards out. Her free-kick was spilled by Panthoi as she fumbled and the ball crossed the line to make it 2-1. But Eastern Sporting Union never looked in any discomfort as Ranjibala scored late into added time to complete the win.

Eastern Sporting Union will now face Gokulam Kerala FC on the April 2, while India Rush SC will take on KRYHPSA the same day.

The two teams played out a draw following a goal each

Rising Student’s Club opened their account in the Hero Indian Women’s League 2017-18 after they held KRYHPSA to 1-1 draw at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here in Shillong on Saturday (March 31, 2018).

Anju Tamang scored the opening goal with a superlative strike in the 76th minute before Ratanbala Devi equalised in the 78th to split points.

The match began on an even note with both teams having a look at the goal in the opening minutes. Sanju had a crack at the goal while Ashalata had a free-kick of her own. Sanju shot one over in the 10th minute while Prameshwori came close in the 13th.

The match turned cagey after that as the teams were unable to create any clear cut chance. Ashalata was the driving force behind the team who directed the ball to the forward line of Prameshwori and Kamala.

Ratanbala had a shot on goal in the 37th but it went way over. On the other end Pyari had a free header but it went wide as the half ended goalless.

Bala Devi came on in the 2nd half to help the KRYHPSA cause and it showed immediately as she combined will with Ashalata and Ratanbala to trouble the Rising defenders. Bala missed a header in the 66th before Ashalata had a crack on the goal in the 69th.

Two chances went begging soon after as first Bala’s header went straight to the keeper in the 71st and then she missed a simple tap in the 73rd. Just as it seemed a KRYHPSA goal was inevitable, Rising struck on the counter. Anju Tamang finding the net from 25-yards out.

But the joy was short lived as Ratanbala scored from a goal mouth melee in the 78th to level the tie. KRYHPSA almost took the lead a minute later but Suprava pulled out a stunning goal-line save to keep Ratanbala at bay.

Lochana had a shot of her own blocked at the other half as the minutes ticked by and the match ended in a draw. KRYHPSA next play India Rush SC while Rising Student’s Club take on Sethu FC, on April 2.

The southern outfit hit Indira Gandhi ASE for six

Gokulam Kerala FC decimated a hapless Indira Gandhi Academy SE side 6-1 to notch up their first win in the Hero Indian Women’s League 2017-18 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here in Shillong on Saturday (March 31, 2018)

Ugandan striker Ikwaput Fazila did bulk of the damage as she scored five times (32nd, 44th, 45+2nd, 58th, 76th) to notch up a resounding victory. Anita Rawat was the other scorer for Gokulam in the 81st minute while Sumithra Kamaraj scored the lone goal for Indira Gandhi ASE.

The match began with Gokulam coming strongly off the blocks. They made several inroads into the Indira Gandhi box with Fazila and Anita combining well. But their efforts didn’t yield a goal.

As was the case for Gokulam in their past two matches they conceded against the run of play despite their dominance, when Sumithra scored a stunner in the 24th minute. Her shot from a difficult angle going past Rumpa to give Indira the 1-0 lead.

The goal made Gokulam’s reserve even stronger as they drove forward in search of an equaliser. It did arrive in the 32nd minute when Fazila’s shot took a slight deflection into the Indira goal. Naocha had a chance to give Gokulam the lead but she missed a sitter.

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Meanwhile at the other end Rumpa Malik pulled off a double save to keep parity in the 42nd. Just when it seemed Gokulam might be balking under pressure, Fazila calmed their nerves by striking from just outside the box in the 44th. She got her hattrick soon after as the referee signaled half-time.

With a 3-1 lead already, Gokulam didn’t sit back and continued their dominant run. They midfield directed all their forward passes to Fazila, who seemed to be in a groove of her own. She outclassed and outfoxed the Indira defence, who struggled to keep up with the Ugandan.

The 58th minute saw the striker score her fourth with a sweet pile driver past the keeper and then came the fifth in the 76th minute as wild celebrations and a celebratory dance followed.

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Anita Rawat completed the rout with her long ranger in the 81st minute as a hapless Indira Gandhi ASE side could only look on.

Gokulam Kerala FC will now square off against Eastern Sporting Union on April 2 while Indira Gandhi ASE will take on Rising Student’s Club on April 4.