Daijiworld Media Network - Kalyani
Kalyani, Jan 2: Defending champions East Bengal FC moved to the top of the Indian Women’s League (IWL) standings with a commanding 5-0 victory over Nita Football Academy in a fifth-round match at Kalyani Stadium on Friday.
Sulanjana Raul opened the scoring for East Bengal in the sixth minute, followed by goals from Soumya Guguloth, Ugandan duo Resty Nanziri and Fazila Ikwaput, and substitute Priyangka Devi Naorem to complete the rout. With four straight wins, East Bengal now has 12 points.
At the AIFF National Centre of Excellence in Kolkata, former champions Sethu FC thrashed debutants Sesa Football Academy 5-0. Martina Thokchom, Kaviya Pakkirisamy, Lisham Babina Devi, Lynda Kom Serto, and Ruchi found the net, giving Sethu its second successive win. Sethu has 10 points from five matches and sits second on the table.
Kickstart FC of Bengaluru ended its losing streak with a 2-1 comeback win over Sribhumi FC, with Loveth Njideka Edeh and Babysana Devi (penalty) scoring in the 81st and 85th minutes respectively. Yumnam Kamala Devi had given Sribhumi an early lead in the 12th minute via a penalty.
Gokulam Kerala FC and Garhwal United FC played out a 1-1 draw, with Shilji Shaji scoring for Gokulam in the 21st minute and Deepika Pal equalising for Garhwal in the 52nd.
Results:
At Kalyani:
• East Bengal FC 5 (Sulanjana Raul 6, Soumya Guguloth 42, Resty Nanziri 50, Fazila Ikwaput 63, Priyangka Devi Naorem 88) bt Nita Football Academy 0
• Kickstart FC 2 (Loveth Njideka Edeh 81, Babysana Devi 85-pen) bt Sribhumi FC 1 (Yumnam Kamala Devi 12-pen)
At NCE, Kolkata:
• Sethu FC 5 (Martina Thokchom 24, Kaviya Pakkirisamy 27, Lisham Babina Devi 35, Lynda Kom Serto 65, Ruchi 72) bt Sesa Football Academy 0
• Gokulam Kerala FC 1 (Shilji Shaji 21) drew with Garhwal United FC 1 (Deepika Pal 52)