The 2024-25 Final Round for the second division of the Indian Women’s League, or IWL 2, is set after six teams, three winners and three runners-up, escaped the group stages with 15 teams divided into three groups. The teams will now compete against each other once in a single league format, played on a neutral ground, to determine the top two teams earning promotion to the IWL or the top division of the women’s football league in India. The IWL 2 2024-25 Final Round will be played from 9 May to 17 May 2025 in Duler Stadium, Mapusa.
Teams
Garhwal United (Group A winners)
Garhwal United has been the most dominant force in the 2024-25 IWL 2 group stage, steamrolling their opponents by winning all four games, scoring a massive 15 goals and conceding none. The 9-0 thrashing of bottom-placed Tuem in the final group game showed their ruthlessness and the mentality of not compromising anything in controlling games. Even though Lhingdeikim Kipgen got the most strikes for her side, the team did not have to rely upon her to ripple the net only, as goal scorers were spread across the forward line and beyond, making them a feared opposition. Garhwal United are one of the favourites to book their spot in the top division as they hope to maintain their magnificent form to win the final round of 2024-25 IWL 2.
Krida Prabodhini (Group A runners-up)
Like Garhwal United, Krida Prabodhini also made a smooth sailing in Group A, bouncing back from a 3-0 defeat to the eventual group winners to win their remaining games, conceding just one more goal and scoring 11 times. Their biggest win also came against Tuem, where they thrashed them 7-0 in the penultimate group match before beating Suruchi Sangha to obtain the second spot. Sumaiyya Shaikh starred for the team, scoring five goals and hoping to carry her form to the final round, where they will fight for the promotion to the IWL. Krida Prabodhini are the only club from Pune and the second representation from Maharashtra in the league.
Roots FC (Group B winners)
The only other team to collect full points from their group games this season is Roots FC. The Bangalore-based club won all their games through solidity and scoring in the decisive moment. Apart from the 3-1 success against Inter Kashi, with the only goal conceded in the entire group stage, the team churned out 1-0 wins with their defensive discipline. Beating Indian Arrows in the second group game, as it eventually became the decider for the top spot, with Roots finishing three points clear. Not that it mattered much as both qualified for the final round, Roots winning the group ahead of the sides which bettered their scoring record was remarkable.
Indian Arrows Women Juniors (Group B runners-up)
As a result, Indian Arrows Women settled for the second spot despite scoring 11 goals and having a better goal difference than the group winners. However, the real achievement for the side was qualifying for the Final Round in their debut season for the junior side. Aside from the defeat, the young Blue Lionesses made an excellent outing in the competition, triumphing in the remaining games and finishing ahead of Pudhuvai Unicorns, who entered the Final Round as a group winner last time. This was a proud moment for the development side, eager to create the same magic in the next round to strengthen their progress.
Sesa FA (Group C winners)
Group C was a tight contest, with four out of five teams involved for the top two spots in the group and the race to win it. Ultimately, Sesa FA edged with a point more for the top spot, having not lost a game but drawn twice. The 1-1 draw with Mumbai Knights, another unbeaten side in the group, in the final group game sealed their position and a place in the Final Round. The Goan-based club was the top scorer in Group C with 13 strikes and conceded just three goals, demonstrating the perfect balance in their squad.
Tungabhadra FC (Group C runners-up)
Joining them from Group C as the final team for the Final Round is Tungabhadra FC, who, despite being rattled by the group winners Sesa in the 4-0 loss, held strong in the other games and took the second spot ahead of Mumbai Knights. The 3-2 victory over Liberty Ladies in the final group game was crucial in this case to secure the second spot, with Vyasapuram Nandini scoring a stoppage-time winner in the thriller. Tungabhadra FC just got it done by securing two wins, two draws, one loss and scoring nine goals but also conceding eight times.
Fixtures
9 May 2025
Sesa vs Garhwal United (07:30)
Krida Prabodhini vs Tungabhadra (16:30)
Roots vs Indian Arrows (20:30)
11 May 2025
Garhwal United vs Indian Arrows (07:30)
Roots vs Krida Prabodhini (16:30)
Sesa vs Tungabhadra FC (20:30)
13 May 2025
Indian Arrows vs Sesa (07:30)
Tungabhadra vs Roots (16:30)
Garhwal United vs Krida Prabodhini (20:30)
15 May 2025
Krida Prabodhini vs Indian Arrows (07:30)
Tungabhadra vs Garhwal United (16:30)
Roots vs Sesa (20:30)
17 May 2025
Indian Arrows vs Tungabhadra (07:30)
Sesa vs Krida Prabodhini (16:30)
Garhwal United vs Roots (20:30)
