Gokulam Kerala FC beat a resilient FC Alakhpura side 1-0 in the Indian Women’s League at the Guru Nanak Stadium in Ludhiana on Tuesday.
Gokulam, which had shown its strength by beating defending champion Rising Student Club 5-0 in its last game on Sunday, started off at good pace. However, Alakhpura kept Gokulam at bay for long periods. It was only second half that Gokulam got a real chance.
Teenager Manisha nodded a powerful header into the Alakhpura net in the 71st minute off a cross from the right flank. With four goals, she's on top of the scorers’ charts, tied with Sethu FC’s Nepali striker Sabitra Bhandari.
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Hans beats Panjim 3-2
Over at the GHG Khalsa University Ground in Ludhiana, Hans Women FC pulled off an exciting 3-2 win over Panjim Footballers, courtesy a brace from striker Anushka Samuel.
Anushka put the Delhi side in front right after the half-hour mark, but Panjim forward Karishma Shirvoikar soon equalised off a brilliant pass from Jeromina Colaco. Anushka scored yet another goal in the second half, but that too was equalised as Karishma put away a penalty. Jyoti Ann Burrett scored the winning goal in the 80th minute to hand Hans Women FC the three points.
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Basfore stunner gives SSB hard-fought win
A fabulous long-ranger by Sangita Basfore was the difference between the two teams as SSB Women Football team opened its account in the league with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Rising Student Club.
A little after the quarter-hour mark, SSB forward Dular Marandi had the biggest chance of the game yet as she was played in behind the RSC defence, cut inside and took a shot on goal. But her shot was saved by RSC keeper Rani Bhowmick.
Just minutes before the half-time break, Basfore turned inside and unleashed a fierce shot from around 35 yards out that left RAC keeper Rani Bhowmick, who otherwise had an excellent game, with no chance.
The side from Bengal continued the pressure in the second half, but in a much more controlled manner. Basfore dropped deep into midfield, the holding position that she usually pays in with the Indian national team.
Bhowmick made save after save to keep RSC in the match as the game wore on. SSB had the chance to double the score towards the end, when Sumila Chanu broke free and unleashed a shot in a one-on-one position, but it was saved again by Bhowmick, who was given the Player of the Match award.
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