East Bengal FC successfully defended their Indian Women’s League crown for the 2025-26 season, becoming only the second club in history to achieve consecutive titles in the competition. Their 2-0 victory over Nita Football Academy on Tuesday sealed the championship with two matches still to play, and also earned them a spot in the AFC Women’s Champions League.
Earlier on the same day, Gokulam Kerala FC edged Sribhumi FC 1-0, while Sethu FC and Sesa Football Academy settled for a 1-1 draw. After Matchday 12, East Bengal sit atop the standings with 33 points, followed by Sethu FC on 23 and Kickstart FC Karnataka with 19. Nita Football Academy and Gokulam Kerala are locked on 16 points each in mid-table, while SESA Football Academy languish in eighth place with just three points.
In front of their home supporters in Kolkata, East Bengal dominated from the outset. They took the lead in the 25th minute when Soumya Guguloth met a long ball from center-back Ashalata Devi and executed a precise scoop to open the scoring. Holding a 1-0 advantage at halftime, the hosts continued to control possession and pushed for a second goal. Their persistence paid off in the 65th minute: Fazila Ikwaput delivered a sublime pass to Soumya, who dribbled past a defender, rounded the goalkeeper, and slotted home to double her tally and the team’s lead.
East Bengal kept creating chances, and Sulanjana nearly added a third when her shot rattled the crossbar in the 91st minute. At the other end, Nita FA offered little threat, with Nishima Kumari receiving a yellow card in the 72nd minute out of frustration. To manage the closing stages, East Bengal substituted Fazila and Resty Nanziri, while Rubina Khatun and Shrabani Murmu came on deep into stoppage time (90+3′). Soumya Guguloth was deservedly named Player of the Match for her match-winning brace.
The Red and Gold Brigade’s commanding campaign underlined their status as the team to beat throughout the league, and they now set their sights on the AFC Women’s Champions League.