ARA edge YWC in a seven-goal thriller to qualify for IWL 2022
Apr 05, 2022
New Delhi [India], April 5 : ARA FC continued their winning streak in the ongoing IWL Qualifiers by defeating YWC 4-3 in the final encounter on Tuesday at the Ambedkar Stadium in New Delhi to qualify for the Indian Women's League, which is to be held in Bhubaneswar from April 15.
The side from Gujarat needed a win from the final match to secure the IWL berth. The result means that ARA FC maintain their winning streak in the qualifiers, having notched up nine points from three matches. Meanwhile, YWC ended with six points from three matches.
Shreya Oza's early brace in the 9th and 16th minutes raised the tempo of the match, giving the upper hand to ARA FC.
ARA FC continued to dominate the match but failed to make the most of their chances. In the 27th minute, however, a goal from Salam Rinaroy Devi from a distance rattled the bar and went in to break the deadlock for YWC as the half-time scoreline read 2-1 in favour of ARA FC.
YWC came out all guns blazing in the second half, and it was Hoineihat, who scored to put the side from Manipur on level terms in the 53rdminute.
It did not take ARA too long to reclaim their lead, as Anju netted a 68th-minute goal. The match came to a frantic end, as Remi Thokchom of YWC scored for her side before Kiran finally made it 4-3 for the Gujarat club in the dying minutes to ensure ARA's victory and qualification to the IWL.