New Delhi, March 8 (IANS) Indumathi Kathiresan (20’), Pyari Xaxa (46’) and Lynda Kom (90’) scored a goal each as Odisha FC improved their chances of clinching the Indian Women’s League (IWL) 2023-24 title when they defeated HOPS FC 3-0 at the Ambedkar Stadium here on Friday.
With 25 points from 10 matches, the Bhubaneswar side have not only moved to the top of the table but have also managed to create a situation where they can walk away with the winners’ trophy by winning their last two matches.
IWL 2023-24 is no one-way race; at least two more teams, Gokulam Kerala FC and Kickstart FC, are very much in the hunt. While defending champions Gokulam Kerala have 23 points from 10 matches, breathing on their necks are Kickstart FC of Bengaluru, who have 20 points from nine matches.
However, all Odisha FC, who led 1-0 at half-time, will have to do now is win their next two outings against East Bengal and Kickstart to leave all other results redundant in the competition. But again, that won’t be easy; a series of poor results may make East Bengal more determined and Kickstart FC are still nurturing hopes to have a go at the title.
HOPS FC are a mid-table team with moderate results. Yet, with 13 points from nine matches, they are certainly no pushovers. Having a couple of good foreign recruits is their strength and they are good enough to trouble fancied sides.
However, on Friday, on their home turf, HOPS could hardly display the same flare except on a couple of occasions, when their two Ghanaian strikers, Fredrica Torkudodzor and Gladys Amfobea, caused enough trouble in the rival goalmouth.
Not that it bothered Odisha FC too much. Having weathered these occasional storms, thanks to a few brilliant saves by goalkeeper Shreya Hooda, the winners picked up their first goal in the 20th minute when a handball in the box forced the referee to award a penalty to Odisha FC. International Indumathi Kathiresan left the custodian Anshika stranded with a well-directed shot.
The second goal came immediately after the halftime. While Karthika Angamuthu did the spadework, Pyari Xaxa finished the job with a soft touch. Former India U17 skipper Lynda Kom made it 3-0 during the closing stages.
–IANS
bsk/
Disclaimer
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by BhaskarLive.in and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of BhaskarLive.in We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, BhaskarLive.in takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.
For any legal details or query please visit original source link given with news or click on Go to Source.
Our translation service aims to offer the most accurate translation possible and we rarely experience any issues with news post. However, as the translation is carried out by third part tool there is a possibility for error to cause the occasional inaccuracy. We therefore require you to accept this disclaimer before confirming any translation news with us.
If you are not willing to accept this disclaimer then we recommend reading news post in its original language.
