IWL: SSB Women FC enters semifinals

SSB Women FC defeated Hans Women FC 2-0 at the Guru Nanak Stadium in Ludhiana on Friday to book a berth in the semifinals of the Indian Women's League.

Anibala Devi and Sandhya Kachhap were the goalscorers for SSB.

It was a tight contest before Anibala gave the side the lead at the half-hour mark. In a counter-attack, a cross from the left was beautifully converted to a goal by the airborne goalscorer; she tapped her volley past the goalkeeper.

That goal gave more confidence to the side. SSB started to gain more control.

In the second half, Basfore and Anibala dominated the ball from the middle of the park. They launched a flurry of attacks that put the Hans defence under a lot of pressure.

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Minutes before the final whistle, Hans gave away a cheap free-kick near its box as it picked up the ball, thinking it to be a throw-in. However, the whole of the ball had not crossed the whole of the line, and the referee awarded a free-kick to SSB.

The ensuing free-kick dropped inside the Hans six-yard area, before it was side-footed into the net by Kachhap.

First win for Rising Student Club

Rising Student Club defeated FC Alakhpura 2-1 at the Guru Nanak Stadium in Ludhiana for its first win in the competition this season. Both sides were out of contention for the semifinals before the contest began.

Sibani Sharma and Ashrita Kangadi scored the two goals for RSC, while Raveena scored a goal for Alakhpura.

Action from the contest between Rising Students Club and FC Alakhpura. Photo: AIFF Media

RSC dominated possession in the opening exchanges and it took the side just eight minutes to break the deadlock. Shibani lined up a free-kick from about 30 yards out and secured the goal from the ensuing stroke. Neelam, the goalkeeper, managed to get a palm to the ball but couldn't prevent the ball from striking the back of the net.

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RSC pressed forward in attack and in a counter-attack, Alakhpura pulled one back. Raveena provided the finishing touch for an equaliser after a goalmouth melee.

However, it did not take long for RSC to regain their lead, as Ashrita Kangadi finished off another attack just seconds after the Alakhpura goal.