In a thrilling encounter at the Tilak Maidan on Thursday, January 11, 2024, Kaviya Pakkirisamy’s 50th-minute header secured a hard-fought victory for Sethu FC over a determined Sports Odisha. Despite the win, Sethu FC finds themselves in the fourth position on the table, level on seven points with Gokulam Kerala, after playing four matches.
The match was anticipated to be a one-sided affair in favor of Sethu, but Sports Odisha had other plans. The struggling team, coming off an 0-8 defeat against Gokulam, displayed resilience and determination, making things challenging for the hosts. The visitors, eager to prove themselves, squandered a penalty opportunity that could have earned them their first point of the season.
Odisha showed promise from the outset, enjoying the majority of possession in the first 10 minutes. The battle for ball possession in the midfield became intense and competitive, with both teams evenly sharing possession throughout the match. Surprisingly, Sports Odisha managed to create more scoring opportunities than the hosts.
In the 14th minute, Manisha Naik missed a golden opportunity as her close-range shot was expertly saved by Sethu’s goalkeeper, Purnima Kumari. Lisham Babina Devi had a similar misfortune in the 33rd minute when her shot went wide of the post, failing to capitalize on a scoring chance.
The second half saw Sethu coming out with renewed energy and intent. Kaviya Pakkirisamy broke the deadlock with a well-placed header from close range, capitalizing on a brilliant lob from Kajol. However, Kajol herself had a near miss in the 53rd minute, hitting the post from a distance that could have doubled Sethu’s lead.
Sports Odisha had an opportunity to equalize when the referee awarded them a penalty in the 60th minute. Unfortunately, Rashmi’s effort went wide of the post, denying Sports Odisha the chance to secure their first point of the season. Despite a better performance, Sports Odisha remains at the bottom of the table without a point.
The match was characterized by a lack of clear-cut chances, with Sethu managing to hold on to their lead and secure the victory. While the hosts may not be entirely satisfied with their performance, the three points earned are crucial for their standing in the league. Sports Odisha, on the other hand, showed improvement but is yet to secure a win this season.
In conclusion, the clash between Sethu and Odisha provided football enthusiasts with an exciting and competitive match. The underdogs, Sports Odisha, put up a commendable fight, but Sethu’s resilience and ability to capitalize on opportunities secured them a vital win in the ongoing season. As the league progresses, both teams will be looking to build on their performances and climb the table, setting the stage for more thrilling encounters in the future.
Sethu FC Starting XI
Anjila (C), Purnima, Nirmala, Ngopawdi, Sonali, Kaviya, Omita, Misha, Babina, Kajol, Apurna
Sports Odisha Starting XI
Adrija, Ratna, Amrita, Sumitra, Munica (C), Rashmi, Manisha, Janhabi, Subhadra, Ambruta, Shibani
