Nita FA 4 (Yumnam Kamala Devi 14’, Jabamani Tudu 61’, Sussana Konadu 83’, Priya Rui Das 89’)
drew with
Kickstart FC 4 (Dangmei Grace 2’, Philomena Abakah 4’, Karishma Purushottam Shirvoikar 9’, Sanju 32’)

AIFF Media Team

BHUBANESWAR: In a dramatic end to their 2024–25 Indian Women’s League campaign, Nita FA held Kickstart FC to a thrilling 4-4 draw at the Capital Football Arena, on Friday, April 18, 2025, thanks to a spirited second-half comeback. Kickstart led 4-1 at half-time.

Having already secured safety from relegation — courtesy Odisha FC’s defeat in their final match — Nita FA played without the weight of pressure and ended the season in sixth place with 14 points from as many matches. Meanwhile, Kickstart FC, who looked to finish on a high, wrapped up their season in fourth place with 18 points from the same number of games.

The match burst into life within the first ten minutes, with Kickstart FC delivering an explosive start. Dangmei Grace opened the scoring as early as the 2nd minute with a composed finish, setting the tone for what looked to be a one-sided affair. Just two minutes later, Philomena Abakah doubled the lead with a neat strike from the edge of the box.

Karishma Shirvoikar made it 3-0 in the 9th minute, taking full advantage of a defensive lapse by Nita FA. Though Nita responded quickly through Yumnam Kamala Devi, who pulled one back in the 14th minute, the reprieve was short-lived. Kickstart restored their three-goal cushion in the 32nd minute through Sanju, who pounced on a loose ball in the penalty area to make it 4-1.

The first half belonged entirely to Kickstart FC, but the second half witnessed a remarkable turnaround.

Nita FA, showing no signs of surrender, began chipping away at the deficit. Defender Jabamani Tudu gave her side hope in the 61st minute with a header from a set-piece. The goal shifted momentum, and Nita FA began pressing higher up the pitch, capitalising on Kickstart’s drop in intensity.Their perseverance paid off in the 83rd minute when Ghanaian forward Sussana Konadu found space on the right and slotted past the keeper to bring the scoreline to 4-3. Kickstart, rattled and visibly tiring, failed to regain control, and in the 89th minute, substitute Priya Rui Das completed the comeback with a calm finish that sent the Nita FA bench into wild celebrations.