East Bengal FC Clinches Fourth Straight Win to Top Indian Women’s League Table
East Bengal FC defeated Gokulam Kerala FC 2-1 at the East Bengal Ground to secure their fourth consecutive victory and preserve an unbeaten run in the Indian Women’s League 2025-26. Fazila Ikwaput scored both goals for the hosts, opening the scoring in the 6th minute with a volley from outside the box and doubling the lead in the 65th minute from a cross. Gokulam Kerala pulled one back through Shubhangi Singh after a goalkeeper error, but East Bengal held firm to stay atop the standings with 27 points.
East Bengal's Commanding Display Secures Top Spot
East Bengal controlled much of the first half after Ikwaput's early strike, though they could not add to the tally before the break. The second half saw Resty Nanziri's precise cross set up Ikwaput's finish into the bottom corner, extending the lead to 2-0. Gokulam Kerala mounted pressure late, capitalizing on a corner in the 70th minute when Shubhangi Singh scored amid a goalkeeper mistake, but the home defense stood resolute. This result leaves East Bengal undefeated and clear leaders, while Gokulam Kerala sit fifth with 10 points from their campaign.
SETHU FC Edges Ahead in Tight Contest
Earlier at the same venue, SETHU FC overcame Sribhumi FC 2-1 to climb to second place with 19 points from nine matches. Sumati Kumari headed in Nirmala Devi's long ball in the 12th minute, and S Lynda Kom added a second after a blocked shot. Sribhumi responded with a 37th-minute penalty by Philomena Abakah following a foul on Veronica Appiah, but neither side found a equalizer despite further chances. Sribhumi hold fourth with 10 points, underscoring the competitiveness in the mid-table battle.
Kickstart FC and Draw Define Lower Table Action
At the AIFF National Centre of Excellence, Kickstart FC Karnataka shut out SESA Football Academy 3-0, with goals from Emem Peace Essien in the 16th minute, Saru Limbu in the 27th, and TH Babysana Devi from a 66th-minute penalty. Kickstart rise to sixth with 10 points from nine games, while SESA linger at the bottom with one point. In the day's other match there, Nita Football Academy and Garhwal United FC shared a 0-0 draw, earning a point each; Nita sit third with 15 points, Garhwal seventh with eight. These results highlight the league's depth, where defensive solidity and clinical finishing separate the frontrunners.
League Standings Reflect Rising Standards
East Bengal's dominance with 27 points sets a high bar, but SETHU's consistency keeps pressure on from second. The tight points around mid-table-10 points for Kickstart, Sribhumi, and Gokulam-signal intense rivalry, while the goalless draw shows how evenly matched some fixtures remain. As the Indian Women’s League progresses, such performances boost visibility for women's football in India, drawing attention to emerging talents like Ikwaput and Essien amid growing domestic investment in the sport.
