Pune City, FC Alakhpura play goalless draw in IWL

FC Pune City and FC Alakhpura played a goalless draw in the inaugural edition of the Indian Womens League (IWL) football championship at the Ambedkar Stadium here on Sunday.

Alakhpura were more dominant in the first half and earned corners at consistent intervals all throughout the match but were not able to make the most of them.

Pune, however, looked to be the better side in the second half. The introduction of Senorita midway into the second half added thrust upfront and both she and Roja Devi could have settled the issue in the second half but delay in pulling the trigger on two occasions didn't yield them the result.

Alakhpura's Poonam Sharma was declared the Player of the Match for which she pocketed Rs 5,000 ($74).

"We played as a team and this result will make us more confident. This was our first match and we backed each other on the field," she stated at the post-match presentation ceremony.

Kalpana Dass, coach FC Pune City, highlighted the camaraderie of the squad.

"We are motivated and we also understand the qualities required to play at this level," she said.

FC Alakhpura head coach Hans Ram said that they "are here to win".

"We are here to win the championship. This was the first match and I am happy with the result. There is a lot of football still to be played," he commented.

--IANS

pur/vt