Gokulam Kerala finish group stage with perfect record

Gokulam Kerala FC finished their Group I campaign with a perfect record as they beat Delhi's Hans Football Club by a convincing 3-1 margin in the Indian Women's League at the Guru Nanak Stadium on Wednesday.

Anju Tamang, Ranjana Chanu, and captain Dalima Chhibber scored for Gokulam, while Anushka Samuel netted one for Hans.

Gokulam, who have already secured a spot in the semifinals, took the early initiative as their forward Anju put them in the lead in the 10th minute. However, Hans took just a little over 10 minutes to get back on level terms, when Anushka converted a chance.

The Kerala side dominated play for most of the first half and eventually regained their lead when Ranjana scored an absolute blinder of a goal. Being played into some space on the right, she took a touch and curled a left-footer above and around Hans keeper Vanshika Rana.

Gokulam carried on much in the same vein in the second half as well with captain Dalima Chhibber dominating in the middle of the park, while teenage sensation Manisha led the line for the Kerala side. Eventually, Gokulam captain extended their lead a little after the hour mark when Dalima tapped the ball into the goal from inside the box.

Hans had the chance to halve the lead midway through the second half when Anushka was played through on goal as she beat the Gokulam offside trap. She only had goalkeeper Linthoi to beat, but the latter made a fine save to keep Gokulam's two-goal cushion.

Gokulam has finished the group with five wins from as many matches. The side has scored a total of 16 goals and conceded just one.