Hero IWL: FC Alakhpura edge Hans Women FC to pick all three points

by Chittu Shetty May 5, 2019

FC Alakhpura were the first team to earn three points in the third edition of the Hero Indian Women’s League with a 1-0 win over Hans Women FC at the Guru Nanak Stadium in Ludhiana on Sunday, May 5, 2019.

India U-18 international Samiksha scored the only goal of the match as the team from Haryana assumed the top spot in Group I for now. It was Hans Women FC, who got off the blocks early, in the first half, with Nigerian midfielder Uchenna Ukachukwu plotting their attacks.

However, Alakhpura soon began to grow in the match and started playing their swift passing game. Around the 16th minute mark, the haryana based side opened the scoring through Samiksha. The forward was played through inside the opposition area, as she capitalized on a fumble from Hans keeper Deepika Venkatesh to plonk the ball into the empty net.

That goal did wake up Hans as they gathered some momentum to hold onto the ball possession however Alakhpura’s high-pressing game did not give them much chance to get their attacks going.

Hans striker Anushka Samuel perhaps came closest to drawing the scores level in the second half, when she made her way into the box from the right and just had to put it past the keeper from a bit of an angle. But Alakhpura custodian Neelam got down and made a fine save to keep her side ahead.

Despite the incessant attacks of Alakhpura, which were orchestrated by India U-18 international Samiksha, Hans kept finding spaces on the counter. Anushka was in the thick of the action again as she twisted and turned a defender and played Jyoti Burrett into space, but the latter scuffed her shot wide.

Player of the match: Anushka Samuel 

“The match was good but we gave a tough fight. Sadly, we conceded in the first half, still our morale was very good. We got a chance; I hit the post. I was feeling really bad about it. But we gave a tough fight and I’m really happy with our performance. We’ll surely come back stronger.”

– Anushka Samuel 

– Courtesy of AIFF media and @WomensFootieIND 

For group standings and fixtures on Hero IWL, visit here: Hero Indian Women League

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