By Joseph Solomon,

AIFF Media Team

SHILLONG: Rising Student Club defeated India Rush SC 2-0 in a group stage match of the second edition of the Hero Indian Women’s League at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong, Meghalaya today (April 08, 2018).

A Pyari Xaxa strike in the 37^th minute and Jabamani Tudu’s 42^nd minute header helped Rising Student Club to register an easy win over their opponents and grab three points from the fixture.

Although the match was slow to get off from the start, Rising Student Club, the more dominant team in the early minutes pressed and squeezed India Rush SC’s defence line. In the 26^th minute, Sanju’s tap-in from a Pyari Xaxa cross ran into opposition defence as Rising Student upped the ante.

In the 37^th minute, Pyari Xaxa’s rasping shot found the back of the net to give Rising Student Club a solitary goal lead. That lead was doubled five minutes after when Jabamani Tudu leaped higher than her defending marker and headed home from a corner kick to give Rising Student Club a comfortable position. The half-time scoreline read 2-0.

Changing over, Rising Student Club continued their attacking momentum and kept badgering at the India Rush SC goal. Dominating possession, Rising Student Club cajoled goal scoring opportunities but lack of being clinical infront of goal failed to add gloss to the scoreline.

In the 61^st minute, Pyari Xaxa almost extended Rising Student Club’s lead but the opposing custodian saved her shot from inside the box after a cross from the left flank.

India Rush SC tried to minimize the deficit but chances came few and seldom. In the 74^th minute, Smriti Girish’s shot from inside the box was deflected off Rising Student Club bodies and cleared away.

Rising Student Club tried to extend their lead via Sanju in the 80^th minute but her shot from a tight angle was easily saved by the opposing custodian. The full-time scoreline read 2-0 in Rising Student Club’s favour.