East Bengal's Impressive Performance in the Indian Women's League
In a significant development for women's football in India, East Bengal FC secured a 5-0 victory over Kickstart FC in the Indian Women's League (IWL), marking head coach Anthony Andrews' 50th match in the competition. This triumph extends East Bengal's perfect start to the 2025-26 season, maintaining their position atop the standings with five wins from five matches.
Star Performances and Dominating Wins
Ugandan striker Fazila Ikwaput led the charge for East Bengal, scoring a brace in the 15th and 73rd minutes. Resty Nanziri, Sulanjana Raul, and Astam Oraon also found the net, as East Bengal demonstrated their superiority in possession and chances throughout the contest.
Meanwhile, Kickstart FC continued their struggle to contain the opposition, remaining in the relegation zone after another challenging outing.
Sesa Football Academy's First Point and Gokulam Kerala's Frustration
In another fixture, Sesa Football Academy registered their first-ever point in the IWL season with a goalless draw against Gokulam Kerala FC. Despite Gokulam's early dominance, striking the woodwork twice in the opening minutes and controlling large spells of the game, Sesa defended resolutely and managed to secure a hard-fought draw.
The result leaves Gokulam sixth in the table, while Sesa remains bottom but with renewed confidence.
Comebacks and Late Goals
Sethu FC staged a comeback to defeat Nita FA 2-1, thanks to a decisive second-half brace from Lynda Kom Serto. After Pyari Xaxa gave Nita an early lead, Sethu raised the tempo after the break and secured a third straight win to move up to second in the standings.
In another match, Sribhumi FC produced a strong second-half performance to beat Garhwal United FC 3-0, ensuring full points for Sribhumi and highlighting the growing competitiveness across the league.
Regional and National Implications
The performances of teams from North East India, such as Sesa Football Academy, demonstrate the region's growing potential in women's football. As more teams from the region participate and compete at the national level, we can expect to see continued growth and development in the sport.
Looking Forward
With the IWL season well underway, it's clear that the competition is more competitive than ever. As teams continue to battle for positions, the stage is set for exciting matches and potential upsets. The league's progress is a testament to the growing interest and investment in women's football in India, and we look forward to seeing how the rest of the season unfolds.