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Kickstart FC displayed a clinical performance to register a 2-0 victory over Sethu FC in the Indian Women's League (IWL) 2022-23 semi-final at the TransStadia, Ahmedabad on Friday, May 19. Goals from Kioko Elizabeth and Saru Limbu ensured the Bengaluru club's participation in the grand finale.
Coming into the fixture, the Madurai side topped Group B this season with five wins and two draws, and a 9-0 thrashing of East Bengal in the quarter-final has given them another shot at becoming champions.
While Kickstart FC finished a point behind Sethu in the group stage before edging past HOPS FC with a stoppage-time winner.
When the two sides met in the group stages earlier in the tournament it ended in a 0-0 stalemate. With the stakes at an all-time high, the game was expected to be a high-octane affair, and it lived up to the billing right from the first whistle.
Kickstart FC were extremely proactive in their approach in the initial exchanges and Joseph Naik's side had to be wary. But so much so for Sethu FC's defensive stability as a lapse in the backline allowed Kioko Elizabeth to slot a comfortable finish past Anjila Subba. The former champions were left stunned as they trailed the game within 10 minutes.
Sethu's defensive frailty continued to be highlighted due to the immense work rate of Sethu wingers - Kaviya P and Kioko - down the flanks. The Madurai club came close twice in the fag end of the first half but both Kajol D'Souza and Priyangka Devi could only rattle the crossbar. Kickstart FC's frontline continued to threaten on multiple occasions and finally doubled their lead in the fifth minute of additional time.
Saru Limbu made a marauding run down the middle and just from outside the opposition box, she spotted the opening for a long-range effort. Trusting in her qualities, the Nepalese international unleashed a pile-driving strike that whizzed past a flying Anjila into the top corner.
Kickstart FC hold on to their two-goal lead to secure a berth in the IWL final
Already down by two goals in the first 45, Sethu FC needed a reaction and conjured up the courage to launch a full-blown attack. However, a controversial refereeing decision thwarted their momentum as the official waived off a penalty appeal when the ball struck the outstretched arm of Kickstart defender Banti Sharma in the 49th minute.
Sumati Kumari continued the charge of the former champions as she came close to scoring in the 73rd minute. However, despite their best efforts, Naik's side lacked the cutting edge in the final third.
Ultimately, the referee blew the final whistle after eight minutes of additional as Kickstart came away with a 2-0 scoreline and a berth in the grand finale. The Bengaluru-based outfit will now face either Gokulam Kerala FC or Eastern Sporting Union in the final.
