Bhubaneswar: The defending champions, Odisha FC Women (OFCW) are set to kick off their 2024-25 Indian Women’s League (IWL) season with an away fixture against Gokulam Kerala FC on Friday at the EMS Stadium in Kozhikode, Kerala.
Reigning champions and past glory Odisha FC dominated the IWL 2023-24 season, finishing at the top of the table with 31 points from 12 matches. The Kalinga Warriors recorded an impressive 10 wins and one draw, breaking Gokulam Kerala FC’s stranglehold on the league. Gokulam, with 29 points, had to settle for second place.
While Odisha FC enters the match as the defending champions, Gokulam Kerala FC remains a formidable opponent. With four IWL titles to their name, Gokulam Kerala is historically the most successful team in Indian women’s football. This opening clash will be a crucial one between two favorites to lift the title and could set the tone for the season.
Odisha FC Women made history by qualifying for the AFC Women’s Champions League within just two years of their inception. Their journey included hard-fought victories against champions from Singapore and Jordan, securing a spot in the AFC tournament group stage. Despite their efforts, OFCW faced tough competition in the AFC Women’s Champions League 2024-25, where they finished the group stage in last place without registering a point.
