THE INDIAN WOMEN'S LEAGUE QUALIFIERS got off to a start Friday in New Delhi with Ahmedabad's ARA FC and Imphal's The Young Welfare Club picking up big wins.
With 4 clubs being in contention for a lone spot in the IWL, every result counts, including the margin of victory. Which makes Ahmedabad Racquet Academy Football Club's 12-0 victory over Guwahati City FC even more significant.
ARA FC ran a one-sided campaign of domination over their Assamese opponents, with Shreya Oza, who was awarded the Player of the Match award, getting her hat-trick within the first 20 minutes.
Anju and Madhubala Alawe also got their hat-tricks, in the second half alone. Kiran got a brace, and the other goal came from Poonam.
Meanwhile The Young Welfare Club also got a big win, but by a significantly lesser margin. They defeated Himachal's Golazo Football Club by 4-0 thanks to a blitzy braces from Salam Rinaroy Devi and Toijam Thoibisana Chanu in each half.
The level of dominance displayed on the first day gives the impression that TYWC and ARA are the two clubs in the race to make it into the IWL. But since each team is only going to play 3 matches, the 8 goal lead in goal difference may come in handy for ARA in case they draw the match with TYWC on 5th April in a potential IWL qualifying finale.