AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: Rising Student’s Club entered the final of the inaugural edition of the Indian Women’s League following their 2-0 win over FC Pune City in a semi-final clash at the Ambedkar Stadium in the Capital today (February 11, 2017).

Goals from Sasmita Malik (30’) and AIFF Player of the Year 2015 Pyari Xaxa (65’) led Rising Student’s Club to a hard fought win over their opponents in a match that was largely contested in the midfield.

Rising Student’s Club started as the favourites to win the tie and proved the tag as they attacked from the whistle. In the 5^th minute, Sasmita Malik came close to taking the lead when she latched onto a Pyari through ball on the flanks, but failed to score from a narrow angle.

Four minutes later, Anju Tamang failed to hit the target from inside the box as Rising Student pressed for an early goal. The early goal, however eluded Rising Student as chances upfront were often miscued, whilst FC Pune City relied on counter-attacks to test Rising Student’s citadel.

The goal however did come for Rising Student’s in the 30^th minute and in a bizarre fashion when Sasmita Malik’s corner kick hit the woodwork and went in to give Rising Student’s a solitary goal lead. The half-time scoreline read 1-0.

Rising Student almost doubled their lead in the 55^th minute when Anju Tamang rushed to take advantage of an onrushing opponent custodian but could only chip it over her.

In the 65^th minute, Pyari Xaxa slotted her shot comfortably past the opposition custodian to double Rising Student’s lead after she latched onto a through ball from the midfield.

FC Pune City tried to break the midfield and defence of Rising Student’s Club through counter-attacks but failed to create anything substantial. With Rising Student’s Club committing bodies to defend their lead, the task became herculean for FC Pune City.

Shots from long range seldom threatened the Rising Student custodian and at the end of time the full-time scoreline read 2-0 in Rising Student’s Club’s favour as they became the first Teams to qualify for the Final on February 14, 2017.