IWL 2024-25: Odisha FC Faces Relegation After 0-3 Loss to Sreebhumi

Synopsis

Sreebhumi FC's 3-0 victory over Odisha FC at Kalinga Stadium led to the defending champions' relegation from the Indian Women’s League. Shibani Devi's hat-trick sealed their fate within the first thirty minutes, marking a historic moment in Indian football.

Key Takeaways

Sreebhumi FC defeats Odisha FC 3-0.
Nongmeikapam Shibani Devi scores a hat-trick.
Odisha FC is relegated from the Indian Women’s League.
This is the first relegation of a defending champion in Indian football.
Odisha FC has made significant achievements in both men's and women's football.

Bhubaneswar, April 16 (NationPress) Sreebhumi FC concluded the run of the reigning champions, Odisha FC, in the Indian Women’s League (IWL) with a decisive 3-0 victory at the Kalinga Stadium, leading to the hosts' relegation. Odisha needed a positive result to maintain any hope of survival, but within the first thirty minutes, their fate was sealed by a hat-trick from Nongmeikapam Shibani Devi (10’, 18’, 32’).

This match served as a harsh reminder that both time and football do not wait for anyone. It marked a historic moment in Indian football, being the first instance where the defending champions of a league faced relegation. Despite the overwhelming scoreline, Odisha initially seemed to take control in the opening ten minutes, managing the ball effectively in midfield.

In the 10th minute, Sreebhumi’s scoring began when Shibani connected with a cross from Anita Kumari from outside the box and struck a right-footed shot that was deflected into the net.

Quick successive goals in the 18th and 32nd minutes effectively sealed the game and Odisha’s fate. For her second goal, Shibani exhibited an instinctive poacher's skill, arriving at the back post to volley in another cross from Anita.

The third goal resulted from a significant defensive error by Odisha FC. The combined efforts of the defender and goalkeeper failed to handle a straightforward cross, allowing the goalkeeper to spill it inside the six-yard box, where Shibani easily tapped it in.

Odisha FC showed notable improvement in the second half and nearly reduced the deficit, primarily through a number of set pieces. However, Sreebhumi remained aggressive, with Bala Devi missing a clear-cut opportunity to seal the match. Ultimately, the result remained unchanged, as Sreebhumi took the points, relegating the hosts in an embarrassing defeat.

Founded in 2019 in collaboration with the Odisha government, Odisha FC has made significant strides in Indian football. The men's team won the 2023 Indian Super Cup and qualified for the AFC Cup 2023-24. Meanwhile, the women's team, established just two years ago, clinched the IWL 2023-24 title, earning a spot in the AFC Women's Champions League.