Defending champions Odisha FC Women (OFCW) will begin the 2024-25 Indian Women’s League (IWL) season with an away match against Gokulam Kerala FC on Friday at the EMS Stadium in Kozhikode, Kerala.
OFCW dominated the 2023-24 IWL season, topping the table with 31 points after 12 matches. He recorded an impressive 10 wins and one draw to break Gokulam Kerala’s grip on the league. Gokulam with 29 points had to settle for second place.
Gokulam Kerala, with four IWL titles to their name, is historically the most successful team in Indian women’s football.
Last year, OFCW made history by qualifying for the AFC Women’s Champions League just two years after its inception. His journey included hard-fought victories against champions Singapore and Jordan to secure a place in the group stage of the AFC tournament.
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Despite their efforts, OFCW faced tough competition in the 2024–25 AFC Women’s Champions League, where they finished the group stage in last place without gaining a point.
The 2024-2025 edition of IWL will feature eight teams: Odisha FC, East Bengal, Sethu FC, Sreebhumi FC, Nita FC, Kickstart FC, Gokulam Kerala and HOPS FC.
Sreebhumi and Nita FC are the two teams promoted from the 2nd Indian Women’s League.
Over three months, 56 matches will be played at eight venues across the country to crown the champion, who will also have the golden opportunity to represent India in the AFC Women’s Champions League in 2025-26.
