PIFA Sports FC registered a narrow 1-0 win over Odisha Police in their Indian Women League (IWL) fixture at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar today. The solitary goal was scored by Nisilia Majaw. The defeat was the seventh for Odisha Women League (OWL) champions Odisha Police.

It was tough for either team to find any sort of rhythm from the kickoff. Both outfits were cancelling each other out for the majority of the first few minutes. The first half saw PIFA take five shots whereas Odisha Police took only two shots. However, neither team was able to break the deadlock.

The ball possession went slightly more in favour of PIFA but they failed to capitalise on the larger share of the ball. Last-ditch defending vy Karishma was one of the highlights of the first half. Later, a tackle on the marauding Lalnunsiami saved Odisha Police from conceding the first goal. There were no goals to report from the first 45-minutes as both teams went into the break level pegging.

The start of the second half saw more of the same with both teams lacking the cutting edge in the attacking third. To change the complexion of the game, forward Trupti Deep was sent on for Iawanlang Nongbet as the first substitution of the match.

Three minutes after the hour mark, Nisilia (63rd) finally broke the deadlock to score the first goal of the match. She took matters into her own hands and scored with a sensational dipping shot past the goalkeeper in the top right corner.

Odisha Police had their moments while searching for an equaliser but there were hardly any clear scoring chances created by the team. Six minutes were added for stoppages but despite a late charge by the local team, they were not able to find the equaliser.
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PHOTO: Action from the IWL match between Odisha Police and PIFA Sports FC in Bhubaneswar on 18 May 2022.