IWL: ESU plays out draw against Sethu FC

Eastern Sporting Union and Sethu FC played out a 1-1 draw in the Indian Women's League on Sunday.

Action from the IWL encounter between Sethu FC and Eastern Sporting Union.

Eastern Sporting Union played out a 1-1 draw with Sethu FC in their group stage encounter in the Indian Women’s League at Shillong's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Sunday.

Ranjibala Devi’s 5th minute strike was cancelled out by Indumathi’s 14th minute goal as both teams qualified for the semifinals.

Eastern Sporting Union started the tie on an attacking note. Kamala Devi’s header in the 4th minute forced a sharp save from Sethu's custodian and ESU did not have to wait for long to take the lead as Ranjibala’s magnificent attempt found the back of the net in the next minute.

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The lead, however, did not last very long as Sethu levelled the scores in the 14th minute, courtesy of Indumathi’s strike, which went between the legs of the ESU goalkepeer.

The volatile opening minutes were followed by a battle for possession in midfield and both teams cancelled each other out for much of the remaining time of the first half. ESU had a host of chances but its forwards could not make the most out of it, as the half ended with the scoreline reading 1-1.

ESU continued its attacking at the start of the second half and almost succeeded in scoring in the 48th minute when Mandakini Devi’s attempt from inside the box was saved by the opposing custodian.

Shortly after, Kamala burst onto goal and rounded up the goalkeeper but the referee called the play offside as ESU searched for the decisive goal. Relying on counter-attacks, SETHU tried to stretch ESU’s defence but could not create clear goal-scoring opportunities, as the scores remained 1-1 at the full time whistle.