Football – East Bengal Extend Unbeaten Run as Rivals Secure Key Wins
Football – East Bengal FC continued to assert their dominance in the ongoing Indian Women’s League 2025–26 season with another hard-fought victory, while Sethu FC and Kickstart FC Karnataka also registered important wins in their respective matches. Meanwhile, Nita Football Academy and Garhwal United FC settled for a draw in a tightly contested encounter.
East Bengal Maintain Winning Momentum
East Bengal FC edged past Gokulam Kerala FC with a 2-1 scoreline, extending their unbeaten streak and reinforcing their position at the top of the table. The home side struck early in the match, taking the lead within the opening minutes. Fazila Ikwaput showcased sharp awareness by connecting with a long delivery and calmly finishing over the goalkeeper from distance.
Throughout the first half, East Bengal controlled the tempo with sustained possession, limiting their opponents’ opportunities. Gokulam Kerala struggled to break through despite occasional spells on the ball.
The hosts doubled their advantage midway through the second half. A well-worked move saw Resty Nanziri create space on the flank before setting up Ikwaput, who finished clinically to register her second goal of the match.
Gokulam Kerala responded soon after, capitalizing on a defensive lapse during a corner. Goalkeeper Elangbam Chanu failed to hold onto the ball, allowing Shubhangi Singh to react quickly and reduce the deficit. Despite late pressure from both teams, East Bengal held firm to secure all three points. They now sit comfortably at the top with 27 points, while Gokulam Kerala remain in the middle of the standings.
Sethu FC Edge Past Sribhumi in Competitive Clash
Earlier in the day, Sethu FC secured a narrow 2-1 victory against Sribhumi FC in a closely contested match. The breakthrough came in the early stages when Sumati Kumari rose above the defense to head in a well-placed cross delivered into the box.
Sethu FC continued to press and extended their lead after a scramble inside the penalty area. Although the initial attempt was blocked, S Lynda Kom reacted quickest to convert the rebound, giving her side a two-goal cushion.
Sribhumi FC fought back and managed to pull one goal back before halftime. A foul inside the penalty area resulted in a spot-kick, which Philomena Abakah converted with composure.
The second half saw both teams create chances, but neither side was able to alter the scoreline. Sethu FC’s disciplined defending ensured they maintained their advantage until the final whistle. The victory places them second in the league standings, while Sribhumi FC remain just behind in fourth position.
Kickstart FC Karnataka Register Convincing Victory
Kickstart FC Karnataka delivered one of the most dominant performances of the round, defeating SESA Football Academy 3-0. The team took control early, opening the scoring through Emem Peace Essien after a well-executed cross from the right flank.
They doubled their lead before halftime with a smooth attacking move. Kiran Pisda played a key role once again, setting up Saru Limbu, who finished with precision into the bottom corner.
The third goal came in the second half after Essien was brought down inside the penalty area. TH Babysana Devi stepped up and converted the spot-kick to seal a comfortable win for her side.
With this result, Kickstart FC Karnataka climbed further up the table, while SESA Football Academy continue to struggle at the bottom with minimal points from their campaign.
Goalless Draw in Balanced Contest
In another fixture, Nita Football Academy and Garhwal United FC played out a goalless draw in a match marked by defensive discipline from both sides. Despite several attempts, neither team managed to find the breakthrough.
The result sees Nita Football Academy hold onto third place in the standings, while Garhwal United remain lower in the table but add a valuable point to their tally.