Gokulam Kerala win big against Mata Rukmani, seal quarter-final spot
AHMEDABAD: Defending champions Gokulam Kerala FC maintained their unbeaten record in the Hero Indian Women’s League by sailing past Mata Rukmani FC by 9-0 at the TransStadia in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, May 9, 2023.
Four goals and another Player of the Match performance from Nepal international forward Sabitra Bhandari, a brace from Indumathi Kathiresan, and a goal each from Sorokhaibam Ranjana Chanu, Dangmei Grace and Hemam Shilky Devi made the Malabarians’ job look easy in the Group A clash today.
Gokulam took an early lead in the fourth minute of the match when Ranjana Chanu’s attempted cross from the left wing was spilled across the goalline by Mata Rukmani goalkeeper Jyotsna Bara. They extended their lead minutes later when the tournament’s top scorer, Sabitra Bhandari, collected a ball down the right flank and burst inside the penalty box with a solo run before scoring past Bara.
The floodgates opened as the defending champions pressed for more goals. Asem Roja Devi released a perfectly-weighted pass to Sabitra as the forward took few touches before slotting past Bara again.
Dangmei Grace made it 4-0 in the 20th minute of the match from Ashalata Devi’s cross from the right flank. Jyotsna Bara fumbled with the initial attempted save and Dangmei pounced on the rebound to nod the ball into the back of the net.
Mata Rukmani struggled to contain Sabitra for her speed throughout the match. She turned provider for Gokulam’s fifth goal this time, laying off a well-timed pass to Hemam Shilky Devi, who had all the time to slot the ball into an empty net. Indumathi Kathiresan made it 6-0 to the Malabarians in the 35th minute. The Indian international combined well with Sabitra at the edge of Mata Rukmani’s penalty box before placing it nicely into the top corner from close range.
Indumathi scored her second and Gokulam’s seventh of the match minutes before the half-time whistle. Sabitra had to wait until the 68th minute to complete her third hat-trick of the competition after a brilliant link-up play with Kashmina and Soniya Jose at the edge of the penalty box.
Dangmei and Sabitra’s combination on the ball was wreaking havoc on Mata Rukmani’s defence. Both teamed up again for Gokulam’s ninth and final goal in the 69th minute. Dangmei’s well timed pass split the Mata Rukmani defence wide open as Sabitra had it easy slotting it home past Bara at the near post.
Mata Rukmani are languishing in seventh place in the table and are the only team in the competition with no goals to their name so far. Gokulam Kerala sealed their place in the quarter-final with the win and remained at the top of the table with 16 points from six matches.
Sports Odisha clinch late winner
Sports Odisha edged past East Bengal FC by 2-1 thanks to a last-minute goal from Ritu Devi, in a Group A tie of the Hero Indian Women’s League at the Shahibaug Police Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday morning.
With this win, Sports Odisha climbed above East Bengal to second place in the group, with 12 points in six matches. Nepal forward Rekha Poudel put Sports Odisha in front in the 60th minute but the Red and Gold Brigade responded immediately with a goal from Mousumi Murmu in the 63rd minute. However, Sports Odisha clinched all three points courtesy of Ritu Devi’s 94th-minute strike.
East Bengal remain in the fourth position with 10 points from six matches and their fate in the Hero IWL still hangs in the balance. Despite being on the losing side, Mousumi Murmu of East Bengal was adjudged the Player of the Match for her individual efforts.
Misaka United keep quarter-final hopes alive
Also on Tuesday morning, Misaka United FC registered a quite convincing 6-0 win against Kahaani FC in their Group A clash at the TransStadia.
A first half hat-trick from Kenyan forward, Lucy Kwekwe Jira, who was also named the Player of the Match, and second half goals from Lalrinmuani, Lavanya Upadhyay and Mythili Parvati Vidya were enough for Misaka United win their second game of the season. With this win, the Bengaluru side have kept their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages of the competition alive.
They have nine points from six matches and currently sit in sixth place in the table. Kahaani are yet to register a point and are at the bottom of the table.
HOPS make it three wins in a row
HOPS FC bagged an important 2-0 win over Mumbai Knights FC in the last Group A clash of the day at the Shahibaug Police Stadium. With the win, HOPS rose to the third position in Group A with 12 points from six matches.
16-year-old Neha, who was also adjudged the Player of the Match, put the Delhi side in front in the 23rd minute. It was a well-fought and tight affair for the majority of the game until Rajni Bala came off the bench to seal the victory for HOPS in the second-half injury time.
With this defeat, Mumbai Knights remained on 10 points and slipped to fifth place in the group.With each team only having a game to play, it will be interesting to see who eventually makes it to the knockout stages of this competition from Group A.
Also Read: India U17s gear up for Getafe clash
Also Read: Little Gaurs League concludes after thrilling showcase of football across two days
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
MYJGMSC Crowned Champions with a dramatic win over MH Oranje FC
In the heart of Mumbai’s football scene, MYJGMSC achieved a remarkable feat by becoming champions of the Mumbai Premier League in their debut season itself. This is no small accomplishment,…
I-League 2: MH Oranje FC’s decisive away game ends in a draw against United SC
A late goal from Sanchit Singh gave MH Oranje FC a breath of fresh life with the draw ensuring the relegation battle against United SC continues till the final day…
MH Oranje FC Gears Up for a Final Push in the MFA Premier League
MH Oranje FC’s Intense Final Stretch: Pursuing MFA Premier League Glory As the MFA Premier League 2023-24 season reaches its climax, MH Oranje FC is gearing up for an intense…
Indian Super League announces tentative venues for the 2023 – 2024 Final
Mumbai, April 23: The Indian Super League (ISL) today announced that the 2023-24 season final scheduled on Saturday, 4th May will be played at the home ground of the higher ranked team in the…
Odisha FC strike first blow with 2-1 comeback win in semis against Mohun Bagan Super Giant
Bhubaneswar, April 23: Odisha FC secured a 2-1 victory against the Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar in the first leg of their semi-final fixture…
Intrigue and rivalry heats up as FC Goa bank on positive momentum to stop Mumbai City FC in their tracks
Goa, April 23: FC Goa will host Mumbai City FC in the first leg of their semi-final fixture of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 on April 24, Wednesday, at 7:30…
Mumbai City FC produce miraculous comeback to seize victory in semi-final clash against FC Goa
Goa, April 24: Mumbai City FC inspired a sensational late resurgence to come back from 2-0 down to win the first leg of their semi-final fixture against FC Goa by…
ISL 2023-24 Knockout 2 Preview – Playoff Fever: FC Goa Hosts Chennaiyin FC in High-Stakes Knockout Battle
Goa, April 19: The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs reach a fever pitch as FC Goa prepares to host Chennaiyin FC in a high-stakes knockout clash at the iconic…
Chembur United – JFC ride on Pradnesh’s late stunner to beat Carmelites FC 1-0.
In a thrilling MFA 1st Div encounter between Chembur United (JupiterFC) and Carmelites FC, the game saw both teams create several scoring opportunities, but a late goal by Chembur United…
AIFF Records Historic Rise in Women’s Footballers
~ President Kalyan Chaubey credits it to the introduction of ‘IWL-2’, – a second tier competition to professionalise women’s football ~ A ‘home-and-away’ format for top tier and availability of…
SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players
SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…