Rush Soccer wins IWL Preliminary Round title

by Siddharth Yadav September 27, 2017

27th September 2017, Mumbai: The 18th Matchday of WIFA Women’s League – Indian Women’s League (IWL) Preliminary Round saw Rush Soccer clinching the Title as second-placed Football Leaders Academy (FLA) suffered a narrow loss at the hands of PIFA Sports.

Football Leaders Academy (FLA) 1-2 PIFA Sports

The first match of the day between FLA and PIFA turned out to be an exciting clash at Cooperage. A superb second-half display by PIFA Sports earned them back to back wins as they register a 2-1 victory over FLA.

The loss proved very costly for FLA who had to leave star player Tara Khatun out of the squad due to an injury. FLA’s loss was swiftly capitalized by Rush later that evening.

FLA had a good start but soon started to fade away after scoring the opening goal through Captain Jyotika Singh’s long-range effort in the first-half.

PIFA brilliantly took advantage of Tara Khatun’s exclusion as they dominated the match through both the flanks. Suparna, Sibani, Namrata had an impressive game who carried their fine form from the previous game against Bodyline SC.

Midway into the second-half, PIFA were awarded a free-kick just outside the box. Stepped up Sibani Sharma, who stunned FLA with a spectacular free-kick, leaving the goalkeeper unmoved.

A few minutes later, PIFA deservedly took the lead when Suparna scored a sublime goal from outside the box. The in-form backline of PIFA stayed rock-solid to earn them yet another memorable win.

Rush Soccer 2-0 Bodyline SC

FLA’s loss was Rush’s gain. Heading towards the field, they needed a win to confirm their status as Champions. And Rush just did what they had come for.

A goal in each half by Deepika Singh and Nisha Singh, respectively, earned them a historic win emerge as the winners of IWL Preliminary Round.

Right from the kick-off, Rush dominated the match proceedings. They almost scored through Nisha Singh in the first few minutes but the joint-top scorer of the Tournament only managed to put her effort wide.

A few moments later, Bhagyashree Dalvi, joint-top scorer along with Nisha, missed a one-on-one opportunity to break the deadlock.

Midway into the first-half, Rush’s Deepika Singh produced a moment of brilliance as she danced past couple of defenders and even the Goalkeeper to open the scoring.

The trio of Deepika Singh, Nisha Singh and Jyoti Singh proved too strong for Bodyline. Minutes after the likes of Bhagyashree, Aditi Shetty and Karen Pais came close to score, Rush’s Jyoti was fouled inside the box.

Nisha Singh stepped up and comfortably scored to lead Rush Soccer to glory. Now, with only a game left, Rush will face FLA on Sunday evening which will be followed by Trophy Presentation.