IWL 2019 -- Gokulam Kerala beat Alakhpura, Hans edge Panjim Footballers on day 3
DAY 3 OF THE Indian Women's League 2018-19 final round began with two simultaneous matches, where Gokulam Kerala FC and Hans Women's FC scored important wins.
Coming off a 5-0 win over defending champs Rising Student's Club that shook up the IWL landscape, Gokulam Kerala FC took on FC Alakhpura who themselves got off to a winning start, beating Hans Women's FC in their inaugural game. GKFC head coach Priya VP made only one change in the starting line-up; Khsetrimayum Naocha Devi replaced Sorokhaibam Ranjana Chanu. Playing their second game in 48 hours, both teams started on a cautious note, with a more conservative battle taking place in the first half, the score remaining goalless.
It took until the 70 minute mark before either team broke the deadlock in this largely even contest, and it was GKFC who did it. Anju Tamang sent a scorching cross from the right wing that got to Manisha in the box. The striker finished with impeccable timing. The Malabarians after trying for over an hour had finally gotten their lead.
Alakhpura tried hard to get the equalizer but ultimately fell short. The 1-0 win sent Gokulam Kerala FC to the top of the Cluster I points table with 6 points from 2 matches.
Watch the entire match right here...
The other match that took place this morning saw Hans Women's FC get back to winning ways after their initial loss in an exciting offensive battle with Panjim Footballers.
The game started slow, with Hans looking not to repeat the same mistakes they made against Alakhpura on Sunday. It was just after the half hour mark that the first goal came; Anushka Samuel found the net and put Hans ahead. Just before half-time, however, Panjim struck back. Jeromina Colaco got the better of a defender and managed to find Karishma Shirovoikar in the box, who found the net.
Both teams came out all guns blazing in the second half. Not long after the hour mark, Anushka Samuel scored again. But with 15 minutes to spare, Hans made a grave mistake giving away a penalty, which Karishma converted, making it 2-2. But at the 80 minute mark, it was Hans captain Jyoti Burnett who resolved the contest, scoring to secure a 3-2 win for Hans.
The win sent Hans Women's FC second in the points table, just under Gokulam Kerala FC. Both Hans and Alakhpura are currently on 3 points from 2 matches with a goal difference of 0. We may be in for a long and hard fight between these two clubs in the battle to reach semi-finals.
