WIFA Women’s Football League: Kenkre, Community Club edge past PIFA and Samuel FA

by Rounak Majumdar December 20, 2019

In a fate-decider clash, Kenkre edged past PIFA SC. With this win, they come closer to confirming their slots in the 4th edition of the Indian Women’s League – the top division women’s professional football league in India. In another game, Community Football Club of India displayed a praiseworthy show against the ill-fated Samuel Football Academy.

In the 8th and one of the crucial games of Super Six round, Ritu Rani and Soumya Guguloth led Kenkre to a remarkable victory coming from behind. With resolute ambitions, PIFA fielded their best XI. They took the lead challenging Kenkre’s unbeaten record. With several chances created, Aishwarya Jagtap broke the deadlock for PIFA SC at the 33rd minute. PIFA gained a free-kick from a prospective position out of the box. The attempt was deflected and Aishwarya utilized the opportunity to score the first goal. Her only goal was the difference between both sides until the first half. However, things took a turn in the second half.

Kenkre’s perseverance triumphed PIFA’s ambitions. From the very start of the second half, Kenkre kept on imposing lethal attacks on the opposition’s final third. When the match was 65 minutes old, an error from PIFA’s defence allowed Kenkre to gain a penalty. Ritu Rani rose to the occasion and whipped the net to intensify the match. An end to end display saw both the teams come closer to taking the lead. PIFA finally got a breakthrough at the dying minutes of the match through a free-kick from a dangerous position. However, the penalty was deflected by the astute Kenkre wall who turned the threat into an opportunity.

Playing a long ball to midfielder Grace Haughnar; she received and turned to play a prolific through ball to Soumya, who took a solo run to went past the keeper and clinch all three points for team Kenkre. With this victory, Kenkre is coming closer to qualifying to the topmost professional league for women in India – Indian Women’s League (IWL).

On the other hand, bottom-placed Samuel Football Academy succumbed to another loss against Community Football Club India. Arifa and Jennifer’s second-half heroics assured the three points for Community Football Club. Samuel took an early lead at the 4th minute through Geeta Nagari’s effort. They maintained their lead and headed back to the tunnel with a solitary goal lead at the first half. However, as the second half commenced, Samuel FA’s consistency followed a downward trajectory.

Defender Arifa Zaheer equalised at the 53rd minute and forward Jennifer Rayar grabbed the lead at the 70th minute. The third goal of the match turned out to be the decider as Community Football Club India had the last laugh after the referee’s final blow to the whistle.

FULL-TIME SCORES: 

PIFA SC (Aishwarya Jagtap 33′) 1-2 Kenkre FC (Ritu Rani 66′(P) Soumya Guguloth 87′)

Samuel FA (Geeta Nagari 4′) 1-2 Community Football Club India (Arifa Zaheer 53′ Jennifer Rayar 70′)

Click on the LINK for Fixtures, Points Table and Live Updates on WIFA Women’s Football League 

For Trial related updates: Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football

Also Read: WIFA Women’s Football League: Kolhapur win big, PIFA restricted to a draw

Also Read: WIFA Women’s Football League: Pratima, Namrata shines in PIFA SC’s massive win

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