Last season, Indumathi, then playing for Gokulam Kerala FC, was declared the best player. On Thursday, the talented midfielder was ecstatic upon hearing the news of her winning the award.

“I am extremely happy to win the award. But it is not an individual achievement. I wouldn’t have achieved it without the help of my teammates and coaches. We are like a family in Odisha FC. What gives me more pleasure is that I am the captain of Odisha FC this season,” she said.

“I think I did my job well as the captain. As the leader and one of the senior players, it was my duty to play well and guide the juniors. This season, we had lots of junior players. They might look at me as a role model and do well in the future. There lies my success,” she said.

Indumathi said there were a few challenges in the season. “The most challenging was when two key players suffered an injury. Early in the season, players like Sweety (Devi) and Jasoda (Munda) got injured, but we were able to overcome the difficulties because of having good substitutes,” she said.

IWL 2023-24 awards:

Winners: Odisha FC (Rs 10,00,000)

Runners-up: Gokulam Kerala FC (Rs 5,00,000)

Best Match Organisation: Sports Odisha (Rs 50,000)

Participating Club with The Best Media Operations: Odisha FC (Rs 50,000)

Best Striker (13 goals): Fazila Ikwaput – Gokulam Kerala FC (Rs 50,000)

Best Goalkeeper: Shreya Hooda – Odisha FC (Rs 50,000)

Best Defender: Hemam Shilky Devi – Gokulam Kerala FC (Rs 50,000)

Best Midfielder: Indumathi Kathiresan – Odisha FC (Rs 50,000)

COURTESY :- AIFF Media Team.

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The results are here for everyone to see. Odisha FC, one of the latest additions to the Indian women’s football circuit, have outshined their competitors to clinch the Indian Women’s League (IWL) title in the 2023–24 season.

In the concluding match of the league on March 24, 2024, Odisha FC clinched the title in style with an impressive 6-0 win over Kickstart FC at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar. With this victory, they dethroned defending champions Gokulam FC, who were known as the undisputed leaders of Indian women’s football.

Odisha FC Women, formed in 2022, earned the top spot with 31 points from 12 matches, which put them two points ahead of their closest competitors, Gokulam Kerala FC. This title holds immense significance for Odisha FC as it earns them the opportunity to represent India at the inaugural AFC Women’s Champions League.

Throughout the season, Odisha displayed remarkable consistency in both attack and defence. They scored 31 goals in 12 matches and conceded only four. India International Pyari Xaxa emerged as the top scorer for the team, and joint second in the league, netting eight goals, while Win Theingi Tun from Myanmar contributed seven goals. Their biggest support in the midfield came from India International and captain Indumathi Kathiresan, who played a pivotal role in the team’s success.

Shreya Hooda, another member of the National Team, and a top contender for the Golden Glove award this season, showcasing her exceptional talent as the number one goalkeeper for Odisha FC. She conceded only four goals throughout the season, securing an impressive nine clean sheets in 12 matches.

“I am so happy to come up with a good performance this season. I want to thank my coaches, support staff, teammates and especially Odisha FC for believing in me. I am grateful to all for this opportunity this season and it all happened because of my team. I want to dedicate this award to my defenders,” Shreya said.

“The numbers (about conceding fewer goals) do matter to me because when I consistently perform well for my club, it gradually impacts my performance in the National Team. Then, handling situations becomes less difficult.” Shreya told the-aiff.com.

While players rightly steal the limelight when the team win matches or bag a title, it is important not to overlook the contribution of the coach. In Odisha FC’s case, it is Crispin Chettri, the head coach, who remained the backbone of the team throughout the season and planned his strategies meticulously.

“Well, it’s a massive achievement for both the club and me. I have been after this trophy for three years,” Chettri said. “I told my players to have self-belief and behave like champions. I had this written in the dressing room permanently,” he added.

We were brilliant throughout the season. Yes, we suffered early in the season because of injuries to Sweety (Devi) and Jasoda (Munda). But the players who replaced them showed desire, character and hunger to excel, and now here we are. The state of Odisha had an overall good year. We won the gold medal in the National Games and now we have won the IWL. I think we have created a path for all players,” Chhetri added.

The Bhubaneswar-based team appointed Crispin Chettri, an A-licenced coach and former India U19 and Mohun Bagan player, as their first head coach for the women’s team. Chettri was the coach of SETHU FC, who finished runners-up in the previous edition of the IWL.

“I think guiding Sethu FC was more challenging than this year because I had young, promising players and I was new to women’s football. So SETHU was a great learning platform. In Odisha FC, I knew about the vision of the owners and we had a project. Though last year we didn’t achieve much, but as a new club, we grew with the passing year. So this year, we had more character in the dressing room.

“I think to be the champions, you need character more than quality, especially in women’s football. We need to create a team bond, having the same objective for all players and staff and making players learn rather than just coaching,” he said.

This year, the Indian Women’s League adopted a new format, the home-and-away structure, spanning over three months. Coach Crispin regards this format as the most beneficial change and said, “I think this is the best way to move forward in women’s football. It gives time for coaches to plan accordingly for each match and also gives players proper recovery time. Most importantly, in this system, players pick up the ability to adapt to different playing conditions quickly. It helps to shape the mentality of players when they go on National team duty.”

Courtesy :- AIFF Media Team.

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Second half goals from Ghanaian Daniel Addo and Trinidadian Marcus Joseph secured three points for the home side after Nigerian Felix Chidi had scored his seventh of the 12th Hero I-League, to give Neroca a lead in the first half.

The win takes the Gokulam side to the ninth place on the points table. They are just above Minerva Punjab FC, thanks to a better head-to-head record.

More importantly, this steers them clear of the relegation zone, as bottom-placed Shillong Lajong can now only equal the Kozhikode-based side if they win their last two games. However, Gokulam have a better head-to-head record with Lajong, and thus cannot mathematically finish in the drop zone.

Neroca coach Manuel Fraile made as many as four changes to his starting XI before the game, while his Gokulam counterpart Gift Raikhan made two from their previous defeat against Aizawl.

The game began at a slow pace. Daniel Addo had a toe-poke in the 11th minute and then there was an effort by Chidi for Neroca at the quarter of an hour mark which ballooned over.

Then Eduardo could not connect for Neroca effectively with his header, off a free-kick in the 17th minute. Gokulam’s Nigerian forward Emmanuel was then put through by Arjun Jayaraj, but Naocha Singh in the Neroca defence made a timely interception to thwart him.

Neroca were using the right wing very effectively and the goal eventually came from there when Malem latched on to a ball on the channel and made a run towards the box. Looking up, he spotted a run from Japanese winger Katsumi Yusa inside the box and delivered a perfect cross.

The Japanese failed to connect but Felix Chidi stabbed home for an easy finish. It was the Nigerian’s seventh goal of the campaign.

From that point on, Gokulam were stirred into action with Marcus Joseph being the catalyst.

He first attempted a snapshot on target in the 28th minute but it brought about a good save from Lalit Thapa in the Neroca goal.

Another one from Marcus two minutes later was even better and more powerful, bringing about an even better reaction save from Thapa. He then lined up a third shot in the 33rd, a powerful strike this time from outside the box, but Thapa was up to it again.

The Trinidadian pro-league top scorer then got at the end of a decent cross from the right from Irshad, but his free-header from inside the box lacked direction. In the 38th minute, Deepak put in a good cross on the overlap for Emmanuel to just connect and get the direction right, but he faltered on the latter part from close to goal.

Gokulam did get the equalizer, not in the first half, but as soon as the second begun. Marcus passed seemingly harmlessly to Daniel Addo in the center of midfield well inside the Neroca half. The former U-20 FIFA World Cup winning Ghanaian, trapped, took a touch forward and then looking up to spot the opportunity, unleashed a well-placed powerful right-footed strike to beat Thapa all ends up.

Bhutanese winger Chencho had a chance to get Neroca back ahead a few minutes later, after Malem had set him up inside the box but Arnab Das Sharma in the Gokulam goal came up with a save this time.

A minute later, Emmanuel rounded keeper Thapa, but missed the target from inside the box wide on the left. He failed to connect again a minute later after an Arjun Jayaraj cross found him. Thapa was equal to it again.

Gokulam were not to be denied their first win in an incredible 13 games and in close to four months though, as in the 82nd minute, Daneil Addo with the assist this time, found Marcus with a lovely ball from his own half.

The Trinidadian broke away, and with the ball on his favorite left-foot in a one-on-one with Thapa, placed it in the Neroca net over the keeper’s left shoulder. Yet another clinical finish and his sixth goal in his eighth Hero I-League game.

Also Read: Esqueda and East Bengal take title race to final day!

Also Read: Shillong-Aizawl face off in high voltage north-east derby

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Having played 17 games each this season, Gokulam Kerala FC who started on a bright note, have somehow lost their sheen and now sit in the tenth place with 14 points while former champions Aizawl FC have just a point advantage coming into the game tomorrow.

The game is scheduled for a 3:30 PM Kick-off.

Gokulam Kerala FC would also aim to come out winning against Aizawl FC in their return leg, after having lost 2-3 to the formers champions in their first encounter this season.

Gift Raikhan would look to utilize his strengths to ensure they walk away with all the three points. While Aizawl FC would be brimming with confidence after having played a highly entertaining 1-1 draw to title contenders Quess East Bengal in their last encounter in Kolkata.

Gokulam have been playing attacking football ever since the appointment of their new technical director Gift Raikhan. Their new striker Marcus Joseph has really showcased his worth scoring four goals in six games while assisting in three important goals as well.

Gokulam Kerala Coach Gift Raikhan said, “Tomorrow is a very very crucial match for us and for them. We have already planned how we will be winning three points. By hook or by crook, anyhow and Tomorrow match for us will be like “one stepping stone” for us. We have already made our objective and the strategy for tomorrow match with the boys. We are ready to fight tomorrow for three points.”

Gokulam’s Indian talents Arun Jayaraj, Suhair VP and Pritam Singh have safely dominated the midfield but have lacked the creative finishing in the final third. What will be a matter of concern for Gift Raikhan is their defence, which has been struggling for quite sometime now.

On the other hand, Aizawl FC will look to quickly get to their act together after having an impressive run before, if they want to harbor any hopes to be saved from relegation.

Coach Stanley Rozario will need to address to the team’s goal scoring skills to encourage his players for one major push towards securing a win. He would be banking heavily on his front men – Ivorian Zikahi Dodoz, Liberian Ansumana Kromah and local talent Mapuia to fire for the team.

However, the defence is what should be a concern for the former champions as well, which lacks experience and have been shaky times and again. Aizawl FC coach Stanley Rozario, “Now, I am focusing after I have taken the charge.The boys are talented and improving.They are gelling with my tactics and philosophies.”

“This match is vital for both the teams because we are ninth and they are on tenth. Both the teams are fighting for relegation. We will continue in the same spirit and hope. We are going to look forward for good result and hoping to score the three points.”

Also Read: ISL title will make consistent Goa complete

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Shillong Lajong FC and debutants Gokulam Kerela FC are scheduled to take on each other in their Hero I-League season opener at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on November 27, 2017. Shillong Lajong Assistant Coach Alison Kharsyntiew attended the press conference for the hosts.

Alison, the assistant coach of the Reds said that the first match of any league is hard and since Gokulam is a new side, they will give their best against the home side. To him, along with the playing eleven, the twelfth man, that is, the supporters are also very important. He hopes that not only the supporters from the city but also supporters from the outskirts will come to support the home team.

“They (Gokulam) are a good team, George is a good coach, and we have to be mentally prepared for them”, said Alison. He strongly emphasized on the point that since this is the first Hero I-League match of Gokulam, they will give their hundred percent, but he has faith in his players and believes they can win it. Confidence and sportsmanship are clearly evident in his words.

Alison stressed that football is a team sport and if each player commits to defense as well as offense, then Lajong will concede less goals as compared to the previous season.

“My advice to the players is that on Monday, play as a unit and give it all you have”, said Alison.

Talking about team co-ordination, he stated that the senior and junior players get along well, as it is a key aspect to any team’s performance that the senior players guide the juniors and it is also expected of the juniors to be respectable towards their seniors. In conclusion, there is one thing evident, that this match is going to be a really competitive and energetic match and also that the viewers will always be biting their nails in anticipation of miracles the players do on the field.

The match is slated to kick-off at 8 PM.

– Courtesy AIFF Media Team

Also Read: Bengaluru FC vs Delhi Dynamos: Strengths, Weakness, Player to watch out.

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NEW DELHI, 20th September, 2017: AIFF Bid Evaluation Committee met at the AIFF HQ in New Delhi today (September 20, 2017) to evaluate the bids submitted after the tendering process was initiated on August 18, 2017.

From the bids submitted, the Bid Evaluation Committee decided to award Sree Gokulam Group the right to field their team in Hero I-League season 2017-18 onward. “It gives me great pleasure to welcome a new Kerala team from Sree Gokulam Group to the Hero I-League from the 2017-18 season”, AIFF General Secretary, Mr. Kushal Das stated.

The team will be playing their home matches out of Calicut, Kerala. Mr. Das added, “I hope the club would be able to ignite the passion of Kerala football in Calicut where they will be playing from.”

Also Read: Premier Futsal: Bengaluru crush Mumbai, Kerala lose third on trot

Hero I-League CEO, Mr. Sunando Dhar also sounded ‘happy’ with the inclusion. “We would like to congratulate Sree Gokulam Group on winning the bid. It has been our endeavour to have corporate teams come into the Hero I-League and the team from Kerala will open a new market for the league.”

“It will be beneficial to both the Hero I-League as well as Indian football. And I’m sure the passionate football fans of Kerala will be delighted to have a team of their own”, Mr. Dhar added.

– a AIFF press release

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