Gokulam Kerala FC defeated Odisha FC in the quarterfinals of the Hero Indian Women’s League 2022–23 season thanks to the heroics of custodian Beatrice Ntiwaa Nketia in the penalty shootout on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at the TransStadia.
Bala Devi and Roja Devi, who scored goals for Gokulam and Odisha, respectively, kept the score at 1-1 at the end of regulation. After their custodian Beatrice made three out of three saves in the penalty shootout, the Malabarians prevailed lopsidedly, 3-0.
As soon as the interaction began, it was clear that both parties were serious about doing business. Bala Devi gave Odisha the advantage in the contest just two minutes after the game began. After the Gokulam Kerala defence failed to mark Anju Tamang, the captain headed the ball in from a corner.
The Malabarians quickly started looking for the equaliser while repeatedly using some risky offensive manoeuvres. Asem Roja Devi nearly hit the back of the net on one such occasion. However, the midfielder’s grounded shot from inside the penalty area fell right into Shreya Hooda’s palms.
Deep into the extra time in the first half, the defending champs kept trying to score and eventually did so. In a risky situation, Sabitra Bhandari took control and latched onto it in preparation for an approaching Indumathi Kathiresan. Dangmei Grace received it from the midfielder, but his shot was stopped. Asem Roja Devi was able to defeat custodian Hooda from close range as a result of Indumathi once more closing in on the loose ball.
Gokulam Kerala defeats Odisha
Gokulam Kerala were dealt a severe blow shortly into the second half when Sorokhaibam scored. Ranjana Chanu received a second warning after challenging Cynthia Marcondes roughly. The Malabarians were down to just 10 players and faced pressure.
But the team led by Anthony Andrews didn’t stop advancing, and in fact, in the 55th minute, they were just inches away from seizing an unprecedented lead. Dangmei From the middle of the field, Grace made a solo run and found herself in an excellent shooting position on the left side of the box. But her strong shot missed the intended target and was out of bounds.
The woodwork thwarted the Malabarians once more in the 69th minute. This time, it was Sabitra Bhandari who broke through the Odisha defence and sent a grounded shot just wide of the post.
Ultimately, as the game moved to penalty shootouts, neither team was able to make a breakthrough. Fascinatingly, custodian Beatrice Ntiwaa Nketia, who later won Player of the Match honours for Gokulam Kerala, was ecstatic. The Ghanaian star was able to stop Anju Tamang, Bala Devi, and Pyari Xaxa of Odisha from scoring on all three of their penalty attempts. The Malabarians were sent into the semi-finals in spectacular fashion with conversions from Ashalata Devi, Sabitra Bhandari, and Indumathi Kathiresan.
Sethu Madurai ease past East Bengal
Former Hero IWL champions East Bengal were defeated easily by Sethu Madurai. The quarterfinal match between Sethu Madurai FC and East Bengal FC was held on Tuesday night at the Shahibaug Police Stadium. Sethu Madurai FC easily defeated East Bengal FC, winning 9-0.
Right from the opening horn, the Tamil Nadu team appeared lethal in the attack. In the 12th minute, Apurna Narzary gave them the lead as she squared off a cross from Priyadharshini’s left side. After the Red and Gold defence failed to clear Narzary’s intended cross, which looped into the goal in the 21st minute, the score was increased to two.
When Kajol DSouza displayed excellent calm on the ball inside the box and scored to make it 3-0 in the 34th minute, Sethu further distanced themselves from their opponents.
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Sethu Madurai makes a win
Goalkeeper Keisham Melody Chanu deflected left winger Priyadharshini’s cross from the left flank. But Naorem Priyangka Devi was there at precisely the right moment to score.
Sethu Madurai showed a desire to score more goals despite having a 4-0 lead. And played an appealing brand of attacking football in the second half. Narzary finished off her hat-trick in the 50th minute with a close-range shot. D’souza provided the assist for the goal by holding onto the ball inside the box. And promptly passing it to an unmarked teammate.
Sumati Kumari assisted Narzary as she finished off a good team move for her fifth goal of the game to increase her total for the evening. She initially scored after a dashing run from the right side of the box.
For Narzary, it wasn’t the end. In extra time, the 19-year-old converted a cross from Kiran Pisda for her sixth. And Sethu’s eighth goals of the contest. Finally, to put the game to rest, Ivy Faith Atieno made it 9-0 in the last seconds of play to cap a fantastic evening for Sethu Madurai. This time, Apurna Narzary took the lead by winning the Player of the Match Award.
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