Shillong ( Meghalaya): Gokulam Kerala FC decimated a hapless Indira Gandhi Academy SE side 6-1 to notch up their first win in the Indian Women’s Football League at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here in Shillong on Saturday.
Ugandan striker Ikwaput Fazila did the maximum damage as she scored five times (32nd, 44th, 45+2nd, 58th, 76th) to notch up a resounding victory. Anita Rawat was the other scorer for Gokulam in the 81st minute while Sumithra Kamaraj scored the lone goal for Indira Gandhi ASE.
The match began with Gokulam coming strongly off the blocks. They made several inroads into the Indira Gandhi box with Fazila and Anita combining well. But, their efforts didn’t yield a goal.
As was the case for Gokulam in their past two matches they conceded against the run of play despite their dominance, when Sumithra scored a stunner in the 24th to give Indira the 1-0 lead.
The equaliser arrived in the 32nd minute when Fazila’s shot took a slight deflection into the net.
Meanwhile, at the other end, Rumpa Malik pulled off a double save to keep parity in the 42nd. Just when it seemed Gokulam might be baulking under pressure, Fazila calmed their nerves by striking from just outside the box in the 44th. She got her hattrick soon after the referee signalled half-time.
With a 3-1 lead already, Gokulam didn’t sit back and continued their dominant run. They directed all their forward passes to Fazila, who seemed to be in a groove of her own. She outclassed and outfoxed the Indira defence, who struggled to keep up with the Ugandan.
The 58th minute saw the striker score her fifth in the 76th minute, and wild celebrations followed.
Anita Rawat completed the rout with her long ranger in the 81st minute as a hapless Indira Gandhi ASE side could only look on.
Gokulam Kerala FC will now square off against Eastern Sporting Union on April 2 while Indira Gandhi ASE will take on Rising Student’s Club on April 4. (ANI)