IWL 2023 Semifinal: Gokulam Kerala FC 5-1 Eastern Sporting Union at Full Time - Highlights
Gokulam Kerala FC will take on Kickstart FC in the final of Hero IWL (Indian Women's League) 2023.
Gokulam Kerala FC ( image via IG/GKFC)
Indian Women's League giants Gokulam Kerala FC came back from an early deficit to beat Eastern Sporting Union FC 5-1 in the second semifinal of Hero IWL 2023 on Friday. Kickstart FC had already booked the first slot for the final.
Gokulam started the match on a bright note but it was Kamala Devi who got Eastern Union the first goal of the match in the 18th minute with a subtle chip over the keeper. Indumathi turned in a penalty in the 30th minute to draw the score level at 1-1. Gokulam went into the break with a 2-1 lead courtesy Sabitra Bhandari. They asserted their dominance in the second half, with Sabitra being involved in all the goals.
Highlights:
They went down 0-1 early on in the match. Who could have predicted then there would be five goals at the other end!
Gokulam enter the final for the second year running, they will now face Kickstart FC in the final on Sunday.
Sabitra Bhandari scores deep in added time to make it 5-1. Adjei this time with the through ball. Sabitra pushes it past the onrushing Chanu, then slots it into the empty goal. Her second goal of the night. She has been involved in all the five goals tonight though.
Job done for Gokulam. They have taken off most of their notable players in the final passage of the game to save them for the final.
Like in the beginning of the match, Gokulam now have the game by the scruff of its neck. Dangmei Grace looks to join the party with a long ranger.
But it's Indumathi who scores! Sabitra Bhandari involved in the goal again. Provides a perfect cross which Indu turns in with a header.
It's 4-1 to Gokulam.
A brilliant move by the Malabarians gets the fourth goal of the match. Sabitra Bhandari passes it to Vivian Adjei with an empty goal in front of her. Shilky Devi also involved in the move.
Finally, Gokulam can rest a bit easy.
Eastern Sporting need to come up with something special to overhaul Gokulam's lead. Maybe something like Kamala Devi's chip in the first half.
Sabitra Bhandari scores a poacher's goal, beats the keeper with the dribble and slots it into an empty goal. It's 2-1 to Gokulam at the break.
A lifeline for Gokulam! A penalty awarded to them in the 30th minute. Indumathi, India international, steps up to take the penalty and beats Chanu with a shot placed in the bottom corner.
The favourites have finally drawn level, but they have not yet scored an outfield goal.
A deluge of chances for Gokulam and Panthoi Chanu keeps them at bay from the Eastern Sporting goal with a couple of super saves.
But would you believe it! It's Eastern Sporting who score! The Gokulam keeper was off her line a bit, and Kamala Devi lobs her from outside the box. A screamer to give the underdogs the lead!
An early cross into the box for Gokulam. Most of the game being played in the Eastern Union half in the first few minutes. Indumathi lets loose a shot. That was so close! The first real chance of the match. The ball hits the upright and bounces outside goal.