Football
Gokulam Kerala FC beat Kickstart FC 5-0 in IWL final — Highlights
Gokulam FC have won their third Indian Women's League (IWL) title.
It's Karnataka's Kickstart FC and Gokulam Kerala FC in the IWL final (AIFF)
IWL Final: Gokulam Kerala FC thrashed Kickstart FC 5-0 in the final of the Indian Women's League, the top division women's professional football league in India in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
Gokulam Kerala have now won the IWL three times, twice in a row. On Sunday too, they ran riot against their opponents from Karnataka, the star of the show being Sabitra Bhandari. The Nepalese striker finished with 29 goals, comfortably winning the Golden Boot of the IWL season.
As it happened:
Live Updates
- 21 May 2023 2:35 PM GMT
Post-match scenes
Gokulam Kerala FC acknowledge the 300-odd fans who have turned up to see them crowned.
- 21 May 2023 2:27 PM GMT
Full time: Gokulam 5-0 Kickstart
The writing was always on the wall.
Gokulam Kerala FC have been crowned champions. For the third time in a row. The undisputed queens of Indian football - Gokulam. The star of the show tonight once more striker Sabitra Bhandari.
- 21 May 2023 2:23 PM GMT
Jyoti Chauhan's hat-trick in Croatia
Even as Gokulam run riot here, their former player Jyoti Chauhan scripts history in Croatia.
READ | Jyoti Chauhan becomes first Indian to score hat-trick in European top division
- 21 May 2023 2:10 PM GMT
80' - Sabitra sets up Roja Devi to make it 5-0
The fifth now. Sabitra cuts back a ball from the right and this time Roja Devi is in the middle to square it inside the goal.
Gokulam 5-0 Kickstart
- 21 May 2023 1:57 PM GMT
68' - Sabitra, Ashalata, Sandhiya run rampage
The Gokulam party continues in the final. The Kickstart players losing out on one-on-one battles. Even Dalima loses out on a battle of attrition against Sabitra.
- 21 May 2023 1:41 PM GMT
52' - Sabitra crosses, Sandhiya scores
The 4th goal for Gokulam! It was always coming. Sabitra crosses in from the left, Sandhiya rises and heads it in. A dream combination from the two most valuable players of the league to make it 4-0 for Gokulam.
- 21 May 2023 1:37 PM GMT
48' - Kickstart make bright start to 2nd half
Floodlights on at the stadium. Kickstart have made a bright start to the second half. Twice they have made forays into the Gokulam box early on.
And now Linthoi Gambi hits a shot from 35 yards out! Their first shot on target of the match.
- 21 May 2023 1:33 PM GMT
2nd half begins
All set for the second half. Sushmita Lepcha comes on for Kickstart. Could she provide a magic touch to change this match? And don't her team need it!
- 21 May 2023 1:18 PM GMT
End of 1st Half - Gokulam 3-0 Kickstart
With one minute left in the first half, Sabitra almost gets herself a second, rolling the ball just past the far post.
All one way traffic in the first half. Too hot to handle for Chaoba Devi and her girls, Gokulam FC. They are indeed the powerhouses of Indian women's football.
- 21 May 2023 1:12 PM GMT
43' - Gokulam run riot against Kickstart
All hands on deck for Kickstart, such that their forwards are also having to sit deep and defend. Gokulam still managing to find the gaps to thread in the passes. At this stage, the only question is whether Kickstart can walk away from this match with honour.
Only one attempt from Kickstart in this 1st half so far.
