Sethu FC 2 (Lynda Kom Serto 72’, 81’)
defeated
Nita FA 1 (Pyari Xaxa 7’)
AIFF Media Team
KOLKATA: Lynda Kom Serto produced a decisive second-half performance to help Sethu FC come from behind and secure a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Nita FA in a 2025-26 Indian Women’s League encounter at the National Centre of Excellence in Kolkata on Tuesday, January 6, 2025.
Lynda Kom scored both her goals (72’, 81’) in the second half after the league’s top-scorer Pyari Xaxa (7’), put Nita ahead in the first half.
It was Sethu’s third consecutive win and extended their unbeaten run to four matches. It also lifted the Madurai-based side to second place in the standings with 13 points from six games. Nita FA, meanwhile, suffered a second straight defeat and slipped to third with 10 points from the same number of matches.
Despite the eventual outcome, it was Nita FA who began the contest with greater urgency. Eager to respond after a heavy defeat in their previous outing against East Bengal, they took the lead as early as the seventh minute. A lobbed ball into the box exposed hesitation in the Sethu defence, allowing league top-scorer Pyari Xaxa the time and space to compose herself and finish clinically, taking her tally to eight goals for the season.
The early breakthrough settled Nita FA, who began to dictate the tempo by building patiently from deep and keeping possession smartly.
Sethu, stung by the setback, attempted to respond through Kaviya Pakkirisamy and Lynda Kom, but their attacks often broke down in the final third. A combination of misplaced passes and missed chances, particularly through Abigail Antwi, ensured the deficit remained at half-time.
The second half, however, told a different story. Sethu emerged with renewed intensity, pressing higher up the pitch and forcing Nita FA into defensive mode. Their persistence finally paid off in the 72nd minute, when Lynda Kom took matters into her own hands. Spotting space outside the box, she unleashed a powerful right-footed effort from distance that flew past goalkeeper Adrija Sarkhel, restoring parity and shifting the momentum.
With confidence flowing, Sethu pushed on in search of a winner, and once again it was Lynda Kom who delivered. In the 81st minute, she showcased her skill and composure by beating her marker with a clever feint before calmly slotting the ball home to complete her brace and seal all three points.
Nita FA attempted to rally in the closing stages, but Sethu’s disciplined defensive shape held firm, ensuring a deserved victory.
