East Bengal and Gokulam Kerala Secure Victories in IWL Matches

Match Highlights from the Indian Women's League

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], May 1: In the latest round of the Indian Women's League (IWL) 2025-26 Phase 2, East Bengal FC and Gokulam Kerala FC both celebrated victories against Sethu FC and Sesa FA, respectively, on Thursday. The other two matches, featuring Sribhumi FC against Garhwal United FC and Nita Football Academy versus Kickstart FC Karnataka, ended in draws, as reported by a local media outlet.

East Bengal continued their impressive form with a narrow 1-0 win over former champions Sethu FC in Kolkata. The pivotal moment occurred shortly after the hour mark when Resty Nanziri linked up with Fazila Ikwaput and Soumya Guguloth in a swift attack. Guguloth's run on the right created an opening, and despite the goalkeeper's pressure, Ikwaput found the net, securing a 1-0 lead that East Bengal successfully defended.

The Moshal Girls have now won all eight of their matches, maintaining a perfect record and sitting atop the league table with 24 points. Sethu FC, in second place, trails by eight points, having played the same number of games.

In another match, Gokulam Kerala FC ended their three-match winless streak with a convincing 3-0 victory over SESA Football Academy at the East Bengal Ground. The Malabarians controlled the game and broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time when goalkeeper Keisham Melody Chanu initiated a play that led to Asem Roja Devi's composed finish from distance.

Emueje Ogbiagbevha doubled the lead in the 79th minute after a combination with winger Shilji Shaji, who later scored the third goal in the 87th minute from a tight angle, sealing a comprehensive win. This victory lifts Gokulam to sixth place in the eight-team league, now with 10 points from eight matches, while SESA remains at the bottom with just one point.

In a thrilling encounter, Sribhumi FC fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Garhwal United FC at the AIFF National Centre of Excellence in Kolkata. Garhwal took an early lead through Esther Tingjoukim, who capitalized on a goalkeeping mistake, followed by Elizabeth Danso doubling the advantage shortly after.

Sribhumi responded in the second half with Sibani Devi converting a penalty after Veronica Appiah was fouled in the box. The equalizer came nine minutes later when Arina Devi assisted substitute Rimpa Haldar, who scored with a long-range shot.

Earlier, Nita Football Academy and Kickstart FC played to a 1-1 draw. The first half was evenly matched, but Nita FA took the lead early in the second half through Kiran Pisda's volley following a well-executed counter-attack. However, Nita FA conceded an own goal late in the match, ensuring the points were shared. Nita FA remains third in the IWL standings with 14 points from eight matches, while Kickstart is seventh with seven points from the same number of games.