Hero IWL: Panjim Footballers ride on Karishma’s brace to beat FC Alakhpura

by Chittu Shetty May 9, 2019

Panjim Footballers posted their first win of the 2018-19 Hero Indian Women’s League season, as they pipped FC Alakhpura 2-1 in a tight affair at the Guru Nanak Stadium, in Ludhiana, on Thursday.

Karishma Shirvoikar broke the Alakhpura defence twice to help Panjim earn their first three points of the campaign, but it was the tactical defence of Scindia Saudatikar that stole the show and earned the defender the Player of the Match Award.

It was a tight affair between two sides that seems to have had each other sized-up pretty well. However, it was Panjim, who broke the deadlock early on in the game. Karishma Shirvoikar beat the Alakhpura offside trap, ran on to an aerial ball that was played in behind the defence, and slipped it past the Alakhpura keeper Neelam to put Panjim in the lead.

Having taken the lead, Panjim were happy to sit back and let Alakhpura have the ball, while they concentrated on keeping their defensive shape intact. Keeping their backline strong was a strategy that worked wonders for Panjim, who had conceded three in their previous match against Hans Women FC.

It took them a little over 10 minutes after the start of the second half to double the score. Again, it was an aerial ball played in behind the defence, as Karishma ran on to the ball and lobbed it over the keeper.

Alakhpura kept knocking on the door and Panjim finally budged from a set-piece, as the Haryana side’s India U-18 International Samiksha expertly nodded it in.

For stats, pictures on FC Alakhpura vs Panjim Footballers game, visit here—> Match Center

Player of the Match – Scindia Saudatikar

“It was a good match. The other team also played very well, but our team today, I think, we had the willing spirit that we had to get these three points anyhow.

We lost our first match against Hans and we had to win this by any chance. Thankfully, we have a very good coach and a very good manager who have motivated us to win this match and have been motivating us throughout this tournament.

I thank all my players who played their heart out today to get those three points.”

– Scindia Saudatikar

– Courtesy of AIFF media and @WomensFootieIND 

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

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