The Hero Indian Women's League (IWL) quarterfinals between Odisha FC and Gokul Kerela FC would go for the final round of voting if there were a prize for the best game of the season.
The match, which was pulsating, energetic, and tense all at once, served as an example of what two well-playing teams can do in Women's Football. Only two goals were scored, one by the legendary Bala Devi to give Odisha the lead and the other by Roja Devi just before halftime.
There were many opportunities throughout the second half, and when the game finally went to penalties, the only disappointment was that it wasn't happening in the championship game, even if the quality of the field deserved it. Odisha lost in the shootout, and while the defeat was difficult to take for a team that invested a lot of energy and effort into assembling a fantastic team, it was also a sign of what Indian women's football could be in years to come.
Rohan Sharma, Owner of Odisha FC stated that the team’s knockout in the semifinals was disappointing. But the team learned a lot many things from the opponent team.
The club fielded in the Hero IWL along with East Bengal, one of the two Hero Indian Super League franchises. Both the teams secured their places in the top eight this season which got them automatic entry into the tournament that will accelerate women's football to newer heights.
Promoting women's football is one of the major objectives of the Federation's strategic roadmap, "Vision 2047". The Indian Women's League will be at the top of a four-level league table pyramid for women's football by 2026.
