Defending champions East Bengal FC continued their steady start to the Indian Women’s League 2025–26 with a hard-earned 2–1 victory over newly-promoted Garhwal United FC at the Kalyani Stadium on Saturday.
On a day that also saw Nita Football Academy surge to the top of the table with a dominant win and Gokulam Kerala FC rescue a late draw against Sethu FC, Matchday action once again highlighted the growing competitiveness of India’s premier women’s football league.
East Bengal make it two from two
East Bengal entered the contest aware of the challenge posed by an energetic Garhwal United side that had begun its debut IWL campaign positively. The Moshal Girls, however, showed why they are reigning champions, blending control with moments of attacking sharpness to secure all three points.
Garhwal United began cautiously, clearly respecting East Bengal’s pedigree, while the champions wasted little time asserting themselves. Fazila Ikwaput had an early sight of goal in the sixth minute, but the Ugandan striker could only blaze a half-volley over the crossbar.
East Bengal’s pressure eventually told in the 22nd minute. Soumya Guguloth delivered an instinctive first-time cross from the right flank, and Sulanjana Raul, alert inside the box, met it sweetly on the volley. Her effort slipped through the legs of goalkeeper Ribansi Jamu, handing East Bengal a deserved lead.
Despite conceding, Garhwal United remained competitive, largely thanks to Ribansi’s composed goalkeeping. The India Under-20 international kept her side in the contest with a series of crucial saves first denying Sulanjana’s low left-footed drive, and then bravely racing off her line to thwart Ikwaput’s attempted lob. A later chance saw Resty Nanziri thread Ikwaput through the middle, but the striker dragged her effort wide, summing up a frustrating first half for last season’s IWL top scorer.
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At the break, Garhwal United could take some encouragement from being just a goal down against the champions. However, East Bengal emerged with renewed intent in the second half and found the decisive second goal in the 63rd minute. Once again, Soumya was involved, albeit unintentionally. Rising to meet Ashalata Devi Loitongbam’s corner, her header fell kindly to Ikwaput, who reacted instantly. The Ugandan unleashed a fierce volley from close range that fizzed past Ribansi at the near post, finally giving East Bengal the cushion their dominance merited.
Garhwal United, facing the prospect of their first defeat of the season, refused to fold. Substitute Monisha Singha injected belief in the 72nd minute, pulling one back in fortuitous fashion. Shruti Kumari’s cross from the right was overhit, but Monisha chased it down and attempted to pull it back into the danger area. Instead, her delivery looped over goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu Elangbam and dropped into the net, marking the first goal East Bengal had conceded in their last seven matches across competitions.
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The goal sparked a late push from the Delhi-based side, who enjoyed more possession in the closing stages. However, East Bengal’s experience came to the fore as they managed the game professionally, limiting clear chances and seeing out the result. The win, following their earlier 1–0 victory over Sethu FC, keeps East Bengal perfect with six points from two matches, placing them fourth with a game in hand over leaders Nita FA. Garhwal United, meanwhile, slip to third place with six points from three games, still very much in contention despite their first IWL loss.
Elsewhere, Nita Football Academy of Cuttack underlined their title credentials with a commanding 5–0 victory over Kickstart FC Karnataka at the AIFF National Centre of Excellence in Kolkata. Once again, Pyari Xaxa stole the headlines, scoring her second successive hat-trick with goals in the 2nd, 31st and 76th minutes. Her pace, movement and composure have made her the most lethal forward in the league’s early weeks.
Nita FA’s attacking depth was further evident as Amiratou N’Djambara found the net in the 38th minute, while India Under-20 international Neha added another in the 64th. The emphatic win lifted Nita FA to the top of the standings with seven points, extending an impressive run that already includes a 6–1 victory over Sesa Football Academy. Kickstart FC, on the other hand, remain rooted near the bottom, still searching for their first points of the season.
Late drama as Gokulam deny Sethu
In another closely fought encounter, Gokulam Kerala FC snatched a 1–1 draw against former champions Sethu FC, thanks to a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser.
Sethu struck first in the 16th minute after a floated delivery from Nirmala Devi Phanjoubam caused confusion inside the Gokulam penalty area. With defender Abigail Antwi failing to connect and goalkeeper Shreya Hooda misjudging the flight, Kaviya Pakkirisamy remained unmarked and calmly slotted the ball into an empty net. Gokulam pressed for an equaliser but were kept at bay until deep into added time.
In the 90+3rd minute, Phoeby Okech Owiti fired a powerful effort from distance, which took a deflection off Muskan Subba and wrong-footed the goalkeeper before nestling into the net. The draw leaves Sethu and Gokulam searching for consistency, but the late goal could prove crucial for Gokulam’s confidence as the season progresses.
Results at a glance
- East Bengal FC 2 (Sulanjana Raul 22’, Fazila Ikwaput 63’) bt Garhwal United FC 1 (Monisha Singha 72’)
- Sribhumi FC 1 (Anju Tamang 20’) bt Sesa Football Academy 0
- Nita Football Academy 5 (Pyari Xaxa 2’, 31’, 76’, Amiratou N’Djambara 38’, Neha 64’) bt Kickstart FC Karnataka 0
- Sethu FC 1 (Kaviya Pakkirisamy 16’) drew with Gokulam Kerala FC 1 (Muskan Subba 90+3’)
As the IWL 2025–26 gathers momentum, early narratives are taking shape Nita FA setting the pace, East Bengal quietly building, and the rest of the pack fighting hard to stay in touch in what promises to be a tightly contested season.
