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East Bengal FC downed Mata Rukmani FC 2-0 In a Group A match of the Indian Women’s League 2023 at the TransStadia in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, May 2.
This was the Kolkata team’s second consecutive victory in three matches after losing the opening encounter against Gokulam Kerala FC.
Though the Red and Gold Brigade proved to be the better side in most parts of the match, the team from Chhattisgarh had a good opportunity to have a breakthrough in the 10th minute. Had not Priyanka Kashyap headed wide from close range off a Devika Yadav cross, it would have been an early lead for Mata Rukmani.
East Bengal took charge of the game thereafter and the IWL debutants finally capitalised on an opportunity in the 25th minute from a corner. Mamata Singh’s cross was headed in by forward Mousumi Murmu as East Bengal took a 1-0 lead.
In the 39th minute, Mata Rukmani had another chance to find the back of the net when Ripika Korram had only the goalkeeper Keisham Melody Chanu to beat. However, the forward couldn’t connect with the ball properly.
Before the half-time whistle, East Bengal came close to doubling their lead. Sulanjana Raul’s attempt from the left of the box was blocked by Mata Rukmani goalkeeper Jyotsna Bara. Tulsi Hembram could have scored from the rebound, but the forward couldn’t keep the ball on target.
In the 71st minute, Laxmi Podiyami of Mata Rukmani managed to thwart Rimpa Haldar from a scoring position, but Haldar, however, found success two minutes later when she beat the goalkeeper and slotted home to make it 2-0. The midfielder was later awarded the Player of the Match.
Both sides came close to scoring in the game’s dying minutes, but neither could find the end product. The win means East Bengal have found their rhythm after a slow start to the season. On the other hand, the result has Mata Rukmani still searching for their first points of the campaign.
