Indian Women's League: Kickstart FC lose points to a late own goal to Nita FA

Bengaluru: A late own goal by Aruna Bag (85th minute) cost Kickstart FC dearly as the Bengaluru-based side was held to a 1-1 draw by Nita FA in their AIFF NCoE clash in Kolkata on Thursday.

Kickstart had taken the lead in the 49th minute through a moment of sheer quality, as Kiran Pisda produced a spectacular first-touch volley off a first-time cross delivered by Mariyammal Balamurugan from the left flank. The move, coming from a swift counter-attack, put Kickstart ahead firmly against the run of play.

Despite going in front, Kickstart rode their luck midway through the second half. In the 64th minute, they survived a major scare when a dangerous delivery from NFA’s Neha was cleared off the line. The ball fell kindly to Matilda Kwao, whose first-time header rattled the crossbar before sailing over, handing Kickstart a huge let-off.

Kickstart continued to threaten on the break and nearly doubled their lead late in the game, but Saru Limbu failed to make the most of a promising counter-attacking opportunity in the 85th minute.

Moments later, they were made to pay. Aruna Bag inadvertently turned the ball into her own net while attempting to control a cross from Matilda, with no opposition player applying pressure at the far post, as Nita FA snatched a late equaliser.

The result keeps Kickstart in the relegation zone, placed seventh with seven points from eight matches. They will next face bottom-placed SESA on May 3.

In another match played on the day, Gokulam Kerala blanked SESA 3-0 with Asem Roja Devi (45+3rd), Emueje Ogbiagbevha (79th) and Shilji Shaji (87th) finding the back of the net. 

Gokulam improved to fifth with 10 points in eight matches while bottom-placed SESA continue to struggle with just a point in eight games.

Table toppers East Bengal (24 points in 8 matches) stretched their winning run to eight as they posted a narrow 1-0 victory over second-placed Sethu FC (16 points). Fazila Ikwaput scored the winning goal in the 64th minute.

Result: Kickstart FC: 1 (Kiran Pisda 48th) drew with Nita FA: 1 (Aruna Bag 85th OG); East Bengal: 1 (Fazila Ikwaput 64th) bt Sethu FC: 0; Gokulam Kerala: 3 (Asem Roja Devi 45+3rd, Emueje Ogbiagbevha 79th, Shilji Shaji 87th) bt SESA: 0.