East Bengal FC Tops Indian Women’s League Table After 2-1 Win Over Gokulam Kerala
East Bengal FC extended their unbeaten run in the Indian Women’s League 2025-26 with a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Gokulam Kerala FC at the East Bengal Ground. Fazila Ikwaput scored both goals for the hosts, securing their fourth straight win and a firm grip on the top spot with 27 points. The result underscores East Bengal's dominance in a league where tight margins define the title race.
East Bengal's Clinical Edge Secures Points
The home side struck first in the sixth minute when Ikwaput volleyed a long ball over the goalkeeper from outside the box, catching Gokulam off guard. East Bengal controlled possession through the first half but entered the break with just that slender lead. In the 65th minute, Resty Nanziri's cross set up Ikwaput for a precise finish into the bottom corner, doubling the advantage.
Gokulam Kerala pulled one back five minutes later from a corner, where a goalkeeper error allowed Shubhangi Singh to score. Late pressure from the visitors tested East Bengal's resolve, but the hosts held firm. This win leaves Gokulam fifth with 10 points, highlighting their struggle to match the leaders' consistency.
SETHU FC Climb to Second in Parallel Clash
Earlier at the same venue, SETHU FC edged Sribhumi FC 2-1. Sumati Kumari headed in the opener in the 12th minute from Nirmala Devi's long ball, 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 no further goals followed.
SETHU now sit second with 19 points from nine matches, two points clear of Nita FA in third. Sribhumi hold fourth on 10 points, showing how early goals and defensive solidity shape outcomes in this competitive division.
Other Results Reshape Mid-Table Battle
At the AIFF National Centre of Excellence, Kickstart FC Karnataka blanked SESA Football Academy 3-0. Emem Peace Essien opened scoring in the 16th minute from Kiran Pisda's cross, Saru Limbu doubled the lead in the 27th, and TH Babysana Devi converted a 66th-minute penalty after Essien's foul. Kickstart rise to sixth with 10 points, while SESA linger at the bottom with one.
Nita Football Academy and Garhwal United FC shared a goalless draw in another match there. Neither side broke through, earning a point apiece-Nita stay third on 15 points, Garhwal seventh on eight. These fixtures reveal a league balancing attacking flair with defensive resilience, as teams jockey for playoff positions.
League Trends Point to Tight Title Fight
East Bengal's 27 points from an unspecified number of games position them as frontrunners, but SETHU's pursuit keeps pressure on. Mid-table teams like Kickstart and Sribhumi cluster around 10 points, where a single win swings rankings. The Indian Women’s League continues to grow, fostering talent amid rising competition and improved facilities at venues like the East Bengal Ground and AIFF centres.
