Sethu FC stays in the race for the Hero IWL title

BHUBANESWAR: Sethu FC recorded a stylish 6-0 win over SSB Women FC in the ongoing Hero IWL at the Kalinga Stadium on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. The win kept the outfit hot on the heels of Gokulam Kerala FC with both teams on 27 points from nine matches, with the Kerala side taking the top spot by virtue of a greater goal difference.

It did not take long for the first goal to go in. A brilliant solo run from Kioko Elizabeth saw her beat two defenders and score past an isolated goalkeeper in the ninth minute to give Sethu FC an early lead. The second goal followed shortly in the 14th minute. A simple tap-in from Sandhiya Ranganathan extended the lead to two and put SSB under immense pressure.

Also read: Hero IWL: Indian Arrows register a comfortable victory

Despite not enjoying possession of the ball, SSB showed faint flashes of a recovery. They pushed their first goal right after the half-hour water break. However, some brilliant defending from Sethu FC ensured that the attackers could not get on the end of a cross from the left. A few minutes later, Sethu FC tripled the lead through Grace Hauhnar who turned it in from the midst of a melee of legs.

The proceedings went from bad to worse for SSB as the side conceded a fourth goal towards the end of the first half. Renu Rani had an empty net to aim at after the goalkeeper came forward to clear a through ball, but kicked it in her path instead.

As the match progressed, there was less goalmouth action. Dular Marandi of SSB had a golden chance to open her team’s account but her shot went into the side netting.

At the other end, Anju Tamang found the back of the net with a header from close range, after Karthika thudded her long ranger into the crossbar. Kioko Elizabeth then scored the sixth for Sethu in the 87th minute, as she jinked inside and planted her left-footer into the bottom corner.

SSB Women FC will play their next Hero IWL fixture against Odisha Police at the Capital Ground on Saturday, May 22, while Sethu FC will aim for three points against Hans Women FC at the same venue on Sunday.