IWL: Odisha FC claim bragging rights, beats Nita FA in Bhubaneshwar derby

Odisha FC registered a 2-0 victory over newly-promoted city rivals Nita Football Academy in the Indian Women’s League at the Kalinga Stadium on Tuesday.

The result lifted them to third place on the table with seven points from four games, five points behind leaders East Bengal.

Nita FA meanwhile stayed put in fifth with four points from as many games.

Odisha flew off the blocks early, and took the lead in the fourth minute with a textbook corner routine that exposed Nita FA’s lack of defensive discipline.

From Neha’s corner, Elaine Manbolamo charged into the six-yard box to head comfortably into the bottom corner.

Odisha scored a second via Lynda Kom in the 43rd minute to extend their lead and deflate a resurgent Nita FA heading into the break.

Having picked up the ball on the right of the box, Lynda Kom drifted in, faked to go one way before going another, and then fired a low shot into the far corner.

Odisha were keen to not slip up and let Nita back in the second half and their midfield consistently held possession and drove the impetus of the game.

In the end, Odisha closed out the game to take their second win of the season with a derby win.

East Bengal FC beat Sethu FC

East Bengal FC continued their exceptional form in the 2024-25 Indian Women’s League, dispatching former champions Sethu FC 3-0 at the East Bengal Club Ground earlier in the day.

It marked their fourth consecutive win, a streak that has already put them four points clear at the top of the table.

Sandhiya Ranganathan, Maurine Achieng, and Soumya Guguloth were the scorers for the Moshal Girls, all three goals coming in the second half.

The match ended Sethu FC’s undefeated run and the Madurai side slipped to third place with seven points from four outings.