Ghanaian striker Elshaddai Acheampong scored her first hat-trick in the Indian Women’s League on Sunday, powering East Bengal FC to a 3-1 win over Odisha FC.
Her first goal came in the seventh minute when she took a quick turn and smashed the ball past goalkeeper Shreya Hooda.
This was after Soumya Guguloth’s cross from the right inside the box was swiftly met by diminutive Sulanjana Raul, who set up Elshaddai for the finish.
Just after the half-hour mark, Elshaddai doubled her tally and extended her side’s lead. She was left unmarked and had the simplest task of turning Sulanjana Raul’s pass into the net.
The former Black Maidens captain was brought down inside the box and stepped up to convert from the spot in the 38th minute, completing her hat-trick.
Elshaddai has now scored six goals in the seven-week-old Indian Women’s League.
Her compatriot, Jennifer Kankam Yeboah, also found the back of the net in the 74th minute for Odisha FC’s consolation goal.