Indian Women's League: Gokulam Kerala finishes with perfect record; SSB edges closer to semis spot

Gokulam Kerala FC finished the group stage of the Indian Women's League with a perfect record and SSB took a step closer to qualifying for the semis with a 6-2 thrashing of Panjim Footballers.

The Gokulam Kerala FC team ahead of the its match against Hans FC in the Indian Women's League.

Gokulam Kerala FC finished the group stage of the 2018-19 Indian Women's League with a perfect record as it beat Hans Football Club from Delhi by a convincing 3-1 margin at the Guru Nanak Stadium in Ludhiana on Wednesday.

Anju Tamang, Ranjana Chanu and captain Dalima Chhibber scored for Gokulam, while Anushka Samuel netted one for Hans Women.

Gokulam, which has already secured a spot in the semifinals, struck early as its forward Anju Tamang scored in the 10th minute. However, Hans got back on level terms in a little over 10 minutes, when Anushka Samuel converted a chance.

The side from Kerala dominated play for most of the first half and eventually regained its lead through a stunning goal from Ranjana Chanu. Played into space on the right, she took a touch and curled a left footer beyond Hans keeper Vanshika Rana.

Dalima Chhibber extended Gokulam's lead a little after the hour mark, when she tapped in a cross from the left.

Anushka had a chance to halve Gokulam's lead when she found herself one-on-one with the goalkeeper Linthoi, who made a fine save to keep her side's two-goal cushion intact.

With the result, Gokulam finished top of the group with 15 points from five matches, scoring 16 and conceding just one.

Gokulam Kerala FC captain Dalima Chibber in action during its match against Hans FC in the Indian Women's League.

 

SSB close to reaching semis

Ranjita Devi, Sumila Chanu and Sangita Basfore scored a brace each as SSB Women Football Club took a step closer to qualifying for the semifinals of the IWL after beating Panjim Footballers 6-2 on Wednesday.

Much like its previous games, Panjim broke the deadlock early on - against the run of play - when Karishma finished a swift move.

However, once SSB settled into the game, the side from West Bengal went on to dominate the game for the rest of the half. India international Sangita Basfore equalised for SSB in the first half.

SSB carried the momentum into the second half and opened the proverbial floodgates as Sumila Chanu and Sangita Basfore struck in quick succession 10 minutes after restart.

SSB defeated Panjim Footballers 6-2 in the Indian Women's League.

 

Sumila scored her second as she dribbled past two defenders inside the box and slotted it into the bottom corner. Ranjita Chanu added a fifth for SSB when she nodded in a corner from close range. With a little under 10 minutes to go, Ranjita scored again, this time from a melee inside the penalty area, before Karishma added a consolation goal for Panjim in the dying seconds of the game.