East Bengal FC clinched the Indian Women’s League (IWL) 2025-26 championship in emphatic fashion, retaining their crown with two games to spare following a 2-0 victory over Nita Football Academy on Tuesday in Kolkata. The win extended their lead at the top of the table to an unassailable margin.
Earlier in the day, Gokulam Kerala FC earned a narrow 1-0 win against Sribhumi FC, while Sethu FC and Sesa Football Academy played out a 1-1 draw, according to an All India Football Federation (AIFF) statement.
After Matchday 12, champions East Bengal FC sit atop the standings with 33 points. Sethu FC occupy second place with 23 points, followed by Kickstart FC Karnataka in third with 19 points. Nita Football Academy and Gokulam Kerala FC are tied on 16 points each in mid-table, while SESA Football Academy languish in eighth with just three points.
East Bengal dominated the match against Nita Football Academy, scoring once in each half in front of their home supporters at the East Bengal Ground. The hosts dictated play from the outset, breaking the deadlock in the 25th minute. Soumya Guguloth executed a precise scoop to open the scoring after latching onto a long ball from centre-back Ashalata Devi.
Carrying a 1-0 lead into the second half, East Bengal continued to control possession and pressed for a second goal. Their patience paid off in the 65th minute with a spectacular team move. Fazila Ikwaput played a sublime pass to Soumya, who dribbled past a defender, rounded the goalkeeper, and calmly slotted home to double both her and the team’s tally.
The Red and Gold Brigade kept creating chances, with Sulanjana nearly adding a third when her shot hit the crossbar in the 91st minute. At the other end, Nita FA offered little attacking threat as East Bengal maintained control throughout. Nita FA’s Nishima Kumari received a yellow card in the 72nd minute out of frustration. East Bengal later brought on Rubina Khatun and Shrabani Murmu in stoppage time (90+3′) to run down the clock. Soumya Guguloth was named Player of the Match for her brace that sealed the title.
In the other match of the day, Gokulam Kerala FC secured a 1-0 victory over Sribhumi Football Club in a tightly contested affair at the East Bengal Ground. The visitors looked the more threatening side in the first half, and their persistence paid off just before half-time. In the 42nd minute, captain Emueje Ogbiagbevha found the net with a crucial strike, giving her side a 1-0 lead at the break.
In the second half, Sribhumi FC showed more urgency but struggled to break down a resolute Gokulam Kerala defence. Frustration grew for the hosts, with Toijam Thoibisana Chanu and Mousumi Murmu picking up yellow cards in the 80th and 87th minutes, respectively. Gokulam Kerala managed the final minutes expertly, bringing on Priyanka Kashyap and Priyadharshini deep into stoppage time to secure all three points. Emueje Ogbiagbevha was deservedly named Player of the Match for her decisive goal.
In the afternoon kick-off, Sethu FC and SESA Football Academy played out a tense 1-1 draw at the National Centre of Excellence. Sethu started brightly and took an early lead in the 9th minute through S. Lynda Kom. However, SESA showed great resilience in the second half, equalising in the 59th minute via a finish from Maurine Achieng. Despite late efforts from both sides, the match ended in a stalemate. Achieng was named Player of the Match for her vital equaliser.
Kickstart FC Karnataka ground out a slender 1-0 win over Garhwal United FC. The decisive moment came just before half-time when Aruna Bag converted with a clinical finish in the 41st minute. Garhwal United pushed for an equaliser in the second half but could not break through Kickstart’s stubborn defence. Kickstart made tactical substitutions to close out the game, securing all three points. Aruna Bag was awarded Player of the Match for her winning strike.