By Joseph Solomon,

AIFF Media Team

SHILLONG: SETHU FC defeated Indira Gandhi Academy for Sports and Education 3-1 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong, Meghalaya today (April 06, 2018).

Indumathi’s 27^th minute strike and Bangladesh International Sabina Khatun’s brace led SETHU FC to gather three points after Pradeepa Sekar had pulled a goal back in the 35^th minute.

Both teams gauged each other in the first half and although SETHU FC tried to cajole a clear goal scoring opportunity in the 4^th minute, the deadlock in the match finally broke 27^th minute when Indumathi scored from inside the box to give SETHU FC a solitary goal lead.

Indira Gandhi Academy brought the match to level proceedings in the 35^th minute when Pradeepa Sekar slyly finished her chance past the onrushing custodian.

With momentum on their side Indira Gandhi Academy almost took the lead in the 45^th minute after Pradeepa once again found the net, the referee however cut the play short for off-side as the half-time scoreline read 1-1.

Changing over, the match evolved into a battle for possession in the midfield as both teams cancelled each other out, unable to hold on to the ball. In the 56^th minute, Indumathi’s freekick was palmed away by the opposing custodian as SETHU FC upped the ante.

Indira Gandhi Academy survived a howler in the 63^rd minute when their custodian rushed to clear away a dangerous long ball only for the ball to bounce over her head and fall to SETHU’s attack line, who failed to find the net.

In the 76^th minute, SETHU FC took the lead when Sabina Khatun scored from a tight angle as her lofted shot went over the opposing custodian’s head to make the scoreline read 2-1. In the 81^st minute, Sabina curved home from inside the box to extend SETHU FC’s lead as the scoreline read 3-1.

Determined to salvage something out of the match, Indira Gandhi Academy attacked but the SETHU FC defence kept them at bay as the full-time scoreline read 3-1 in SETHU FC’s favour.