IWL: Nita Academy wins on debut, Sethu FC edges out Sreebhumi FC

Ghanaian recruit Gifty Acheampong scored in the 80th minute as newly-promoted Nita Football Academy from Odisha made a memorable start to their Indian Women’s League 2024-25 campaign with a 1-0 away win against HOPS FC on Saturday.

The game, played under chilly weather at the capital’s iconic Ambedkar Stadium, had a slow start, but picked up momentum late in the second session.

The decisive moment came in the 80th minute when Gifty efficiently made the best use of a long ball and got the better of goalkeeper Priti Sarkar and captain Mamta before flicking the ball in.

Gladys Amfobea and Kamala Devi were the standout players for Nita and HOPS, respectively, coming close to scoring on multiple occasions. In the 35th minute, Gifty launched a powerful strike toward the far post, but Priti managed to deflect it away.

Former India international Kamala Devi also tested the HOPS defense with a promising free kick in the 44th minute, sending the ball toward the far post. However, Priti was alert as the ball bubbled in the air before she made a vital save.

Despite several attacking attempts from HOPS FC, including a fine long-range shot from Ghanaian Gladys Amfobea that went over the bar in the 55th minute, the home side could never find the back of the net.

The 57th minute witnessed another moment of brilliance from Gladys, whose outside-the-box attempt was met with a save from Nita custodian Sasmita Parida.

The tide began to turn in Nita’s favor as they maintained more possession in the midfield. They came close to scoring in the 72nd minute with Gifty’s low cross down the left flank to Jabamani Tudu, but the latter’s shot missed the target by a whisker.

After Gifty put Nita ahead, the Paromita Sit-coached side gained confidence and tried to double the lead, but another goal remained elusive.

Former champions Sethu FC edge past newcomers Sribhumi FC

Former champions Sethu FC defeated newly-promoted Sribhumi FC 1-0 to make a winning start to their 2024-25 Indian Women’s League campaign at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Saturday.

After a closely-fought first half, Ugandan midfielder Amnah Nababi’s volley at the hour mark earned all three points for Shareef Khan’s side against last season’s IWL 2 champions. After playing out of Goa last season, Sethu will be delighted to make a perfect start at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in their home state of Tamil Nadu.

Sethu saw plenty of the ball right from the start, with their three centre-backs patiently building from defence.

Lisham Babina Devi’s defence-splitting passes and Malavika P’s electric runs down the wings caused Sribhumi trouble throughout the game, but the hosts had limited opportunities to enter the penalty area in the first half as the visitors remained compact in the middle.

Sribhumi were dangerous moving forward on the break thanks to pace of Nongmeikapam Sibani Devi on the right, Mousumi Murmu on the left and Rimpa Haldar in attacking midfield. Skipper Ngangom Bala Devi was helpful with her neat link-up play.

In fact, she set up two gilt-edged opportunities for Mousumi within the first four minutes which the 20-year-old failed to capitalise upon, cutting inside and shooting over with the right foot on both occasions.

Both goalkeepers were kept busy in the opening minutes of the second half. Sethu’s Sarangthem Khambi Chanu pushed away Apurna Narzary’s 20-yard effort before Sribhumi’s Moirangthem Monalisha Devi collected Cameroonian Moussa Zouwairatou’s grounded strike.

But Monalisha could do nothing when Sethu’s breakthrough goal arrived via Amnah Nababi in the 59th minute. The Sribhumi defence was caught asleep as the Ugandan midfielder got on the end of a bouncing ball at the edge of the area. She triggered a right-footed volley that landed into the far corner, way out of Monalisha’s reach to score her first IWL goal.

Sribhumi upped the ante in search of the equaliser and grew more and more desperate as the clock ticked down. Head coach Sujata Kar brought on Nitu Linda and Nameirakpam Arina Devi in an attempt to gain more midfield control.

The visitors’ best goalscoring chance came in the 81st minute when Anita Kumari curled a right-footed shot from 25 yards out but it was marvellously tipped over by Khambi to salvage all three points for Sethu.