On Tuesday, January 16, 2024, in an exciting match at the Capital Football Arena, Manisha Naik came through big for Sports Odisha, netting a vital goal in the 85th minute to rescue a draw with HOPS FC. Sports Odisha not only earned a point with the thrilling equalizer, but it also signaled a sea change for the team in the Indian Women’s League (IWL) season.
From the very first kickoff, HOPS FC made their presence known by exerting pressure on the Odisha defensive line. HOPS tried to take advantage of Fredrica Torkudzor and Neha’s speed and positioning on the wings by playing long balls from the back. Early in the game, neither team was able to gain the upper hand, which made the play open and competitive.
In the 25th minute, Neha had the first real chance of the game, but she missed the target, hitting the side netting with her close-range shot. Deepa Nayak, on the other side, nearly broke the tie with a strong long shot that the HOPS FC goalkeeper expertly collected.
HOPS took command of the midfield as the first half went on, setting the tempo of the match. On the counterattack, Sports Odisha showed tenacity, though, creating two half-chances that Rashmi just missed. With their swift counterattacks, the Odisha team remained a threat despite HOPS’s increasing dominance.
In the 51st minute, Rashmi had a great chance to give Odisha the lead, but her shot went over the bar, disappointing the supporters. Federicka’s header from a wonderful cross from Neha gave HOPS the lead against the run of play in the 68th minute, surprising the Odisha defense.
Odisha’s defensive line was exposed as they stepped up their attempts to equalize after HOPS took the lead. Odisha’s offensive pressure paid off in the 81st minute when Subhadra struck the crossbar with a powerful long-range shot. Manisha Naik was in position to head the rebound into the net with poise, giving Odisha their first IWL point of the season and providing much-needed equalization.
The late equalizer demonstrated not only Odisha’s tenacity but also the team’s capacity to seize chances in the face of difficulty. Odisha moved up to the top of the table with the draw against HFC, giving them a chance to compete well for the rest of the Indian Women’s League season.
After the draw, HOPS climbed to fifth place in the standings, while Odisha rejoiced over their first point, which suggested a possible turn around in their performance. The game was a timely reminder of how unpredictable football can be and how resilient you have to be to compete at the top level.
Sports Odisha will try to build on this hard-fought draw and use it as a springboard for more victories as the IWL season progresses. Manisha Naik’s bravery and the team’s combined efforts have created the conditions for an exciting journey ahead as they seek to advance and leave their mark on the women’s football scene in India.
Sports Odisha Starting XI
Adrija (GK), Ratna, Amrita, Munica (C), Rashmi, Manisha, Janhabi, Subhadra, Amruta, Deepa, Shibani
HOPS FC Starting XI
Anshika (GK), Sharda, Pramila, Kipgen, Fedrica, Neha, Gladys, Pooja, Aarti (C), Mamta, Shailja
