Harpal Singh Bedi / New Delhi
Gokulam Kerala, Hans FC and SSB Club, chalked out hard fought wins over their rivals in the Hero Indian Women’s football League.in LUDHIANA on Tuesday.
Gokulam overcame resilient Alakhpura FC 1-0, Hans FC beat Panjim Footballers 3-2 while SSC Club piped Rising student Club 1-0.
Gokulam, who had shown their strength by beating defending champions Rising Student Club 5-0 in their opening game , started off at good pace. However, Alakhpura came out with a concrete plan to thwart the side from Kerala and pounce on the counter attacks.
Their plan worked perfectly, as they kept Gokulam at bay for long periods. It was only second half that Gokulam got a real chance. Manisha broke through on goal, and Alakhpura keeper Neelam to beat in front of her. However, she tried to dink the keeper on the half volley, and the ball sailed over the bar.
Manisha finally made her mark in the game, when she nodded a powerful header into the Alakhpura net 71st minute off a cross from the right flank. P)
Hans Women scored an exciting 3-2 win over Panjim Footballers, courtesy a brace from striker Anushka Samuel. Hans had got off to a good start with Rita Casia ’s early effort going wide of the post.
Anushka put the Delhi side in front right after the half-hour mark, but Panjim forward Karishma Shirvoikar soon equalised as she finished off a brilliant pass from Jeromina Colaco. Anushka scored yet another goal in the second half, but that too was equalised via a penalty by Karishma.
In the end, it was Jyoti Ann Burrett, who scored the winning goal in the 80th minute for her side.
SSB Women piped their Eastern Rivals Rising Student Club, as a fabulous long-ranger by Sangita Basfore made the difference between the two teams.
SSB looked to make their India International Sangita Basfore the focal point of their attacks. Basfore, who generally plays midfield for the National Team did tend to drop back, but she was constantly urged by coach Barun Sengupta to push forward.