IWL: East Bengal beats Sribhumi in Kolkata derby, Kickstart draws Gokulam

East Bengal took their second straight win of the season in the IWL 2024-25, beating citymates Sribhumi FC 1-0 at the East Bengal ground on Wednesday.

Soumya Guguloth scored the only goal of the match in the 76th minute. This was newly-promoted Sribhumi’s second straight defeat after losing to Sethu FC in Chennai.

East Bengal’s formidable squad had underwhelmed in their opening encounter, and perhaps keen to make amends kicked things off in a flurry, creating and spurning a host of early chances. The first arrived as early as the fourth minute, when Soumya Guguloth volleyed a loose ball inside the box, only for a Sribhumi defender to block it away from goal.

Waves of East Bengal attacks produced similar results, their inability to finish also due in part to some brave Sribhumi defending. In the 14th minute though East Bengal had perhaps the clearest chance at goal anyone will get this season. A long ball played out from midfield fell into Resty Nanziri’s brilliant run towards goal.

A panicked and over-eager Monalisha Devi rushed out of goal, outside the box, in an attempt to intercept, only to be beaten by Nanziri. The Ugandan rounded the goalkeeper, drove into the box, and with an empty target awaiting, shot wide.

Her luck would not turn. Four minutes later, Guguloth’s work on the right wing saw her cut a teasing low cross towards the center of the six-yard area just inches away from Nanziri’s foot. Any connection would have given the hosts the lead.

Devi made amends for her earlier rush of blood by making a smart save from Elshaddai Acheampong, after the forward had picked up a headed through ball to shoot towards goal. Halftime beckoned, and Sreebhumi went off for the break, relieved.

The trend continued in the second half, East Bengal’s wingers in particular constantly dropping in dangerous crosses, unfortunately often with no one to finish them.

Sreebhumi slowly grew into the game in the final twenty minutes and even created some chances of their own. In the 72nd minute, they had a great chance to go in front, when Rimpa Haldar was played through on goal.

The forward cut into the box and found the space to fire a shot. Unfortunately, it did not carry enough power to trouble Panthoi Chanu.

East Bengal made the visitors pay for that missed chance four minutes later — and earned due reward for their own efforts. From a corner, the ball bounced around on the left edge of the box, Nanziri’s cross blocked into the path of Sulanjana Raul.

The substitute’s low cross flew to the other end of the box, to an unmarked Soumya, who duly smashed it in. East Bengal rode out the game comfortably to take their second successive victory.

Kickstart and Gokulam Kerala’s search for first win continues

Kickstart FC and Gokulam Kerala FC were left hunting for their maiden victory in the 2024-25 Indian Women’s League campaign after they had to settle for a hard-fought 1-1 draw at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Wednesday.

Sanju gave hosts Kickstart FC an early lead before Fazila Ikwaput canceled the strike in the 36th minute.

With Kickstart FC coming into the match on the back of a 0-2 defeat to East Bengal FC, and Gokulam Kerala FC drawing their opener against Odisha FC, both teams were eager to notch up their first win of the tournament. Eventually, it resulted in a frustrating draw.

The action commenced swiftly with Kickstart FC seizing the early initiative on their home ground. They took the lead in the sixth minute when a well-executed free-kick drifted over the Gokulam defense to find Sanju. The defender demonstrated excellent poise and positioning to slot the ball into the net.

This early lead injected a burst of confidence into Kickstart FC, prompting a series of attacks aimed at doubling their advantage. Gokulam Kerala FC goalkeeper Payal Basude was pivotal during this phase, pulling off multiple saves to keep her team in the game, notably denying Kickstart’s Karishma Shirvoikar and Dangmei Grace.

As the first half progressed, the Malabarians gradually found their footing, orchestrated by the dynamic Fazila Ikwaput. Known for her pace and incisive runs, Ikwaput became increasingly influential on the flanks.

Her efforts bore fruit in the 36th minute when she latched onto a through ball, outpacing the Kickstart defenders. With the host goalkeeper Maibam Linthoingambi Devi advancing to cut down the angle, Ikwaput remained composed and placed the ball home calmly into the back of the net to restore parity.

The equalizer set the stage for a tense second half, with both teams adopting a more measured approach to avoid conceding further.

Gokulam Kerala nearly claimed the lead when Ikwaput, continuing her impressive performance, dashed down the right and set up Catherine Amo Aringo. However, Aringo’s strike rattled the woodwork, denying Gokulam a late winner.