Riding on a brace by Subhadra Sahoo, home favourites Odisha Sports registered a 3-0 emphatic win over PIFA Sports in their fifth match of the Indian Womens League (IWL) at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar today.

This was the second straight win and third overall for Odisha Women League runners-up Sports Odisha, who moved up to the third place in league table with 10 points from five matches.

The State Government-controled Sports Odisha team took the lead in the 14th minute of the game. Jasoda Munda attempted a cross from the right flank but the ball changed the trajectory midway through the air. PIFA Sports goalkeeper Anjali Barke fumbled it and the ball ended up straight into the goal.

The two sides were evenly matched in terms of ball possession in the first half. However, Odisha Sports had three out of their 11 shots on target against none by PIFA Sports.

At the hour mark, Sports Odisha earned a corner, which was subsequently taken by goalscorer Munda. Her cross was well-connected by Pyari Xaxa from inside the box. The attempt was blocked by Barke, but Subhadra Sahoo followed through quickly to turn the ball in, making it 2-0 for Sports Odisha.

The defender scored another one immediately in the 65th minute after another error from Barke led to Xaxa winning possession in a dangerous area. The forward passed the ball to Sahoo, who struck well from outside the box to make it 3-0 and put the game to bed.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOTO: Sports Odisha player Subhadra Sahoo poses with the Player of the Match award after their win over PIFA Sports in the Indian Women League in Bhubaneswar on 1 May 2022.