Defending champions East Bengal FC surged to the top of the Indian Women’s League 2025-26 with a dominant 5-0 victory over Nita Football Academy at the Kalyani Stadium on Friday.
What appeared to be a potential top-of-the-table clash turned out to be a one-sided affair. East Bengal’s regular scorers Sulanjana Raul (6′) and Soumya Guguloth (42′) found the net in the first half, while Ugandan duo Resty Nanziri (50′) and Fazila Ikwaput (63′) secured the win early in the second half. Substitute Priyangka Devi Naorem sealed the scoring with a fifth goal in the 88th minute.
With a perfect record of four wins from four matches, East Bengal now leads the points table. Sethu FC, who also secured a 5-0 win against Sesa on Friday, sits in second place with 10 points from five matches. Nita FA, having amassed 10 points, has slipped to third place due to goal difference.
East Bengal kicked off the new year in style, continuing from their record 9-0 win over Sesa. Sulanjana Raul opened the scoring in just the sixth minute with a stunning finish. After receiving a cut-back from the by-line by Resty Nanziri, the 18-year-old set herself up with a perfect first touch before curling the ball into the far corner with the inside of her right boot. This marked her third goal in as many matches.
True to form, the Moshal Girls pressed for more goals, creating several opportunities shortly after the opener. Sushmita Lepcha, who provided a hat-trick of assists in the previous match, saw her cross miss Fazila Ikwaput in the middle, with Soumya Guguloth managing just a faint touch as the ball went out for a goal-kick. Later, Nita goalkeeper Adrija Sarkhel denied Fazila in a one-on-one situation, after which Resty blasted her shot over the bar on the rebound.
Nita gradually found their rhythm and enjoyed more possession. Despite being the league’s top scorers with 13 goals prior to this match, Paromita Sit’s side struggled to penetrate East Bengal’s defense.
East Bengal capitalized on their chances, doubling their lead three minutes before halftime. Fazila, playing a bit deeper than usual, threaded a fine through ball for Soumya in the middle. The AIFF Women’s Player of the Year took control at the top of the box and sent a shot into the bottom corner with her weaker left foot, making it 2-0.
Continuing their momentum in the second half, East Bengal scored their third in the 50th minute from a set-piece. Sarita Yumnam’s corner kick, somewhat tame in delivery, fortuitously landed at Resty’s feet. The Ugandan made a smart turn to evade defenders and lashed a fierce shot into the net, rendering Adrija’s jump futile.
Resty then turned provider for the next goal in the 63rd minute, connecting with Fazila through a brilliant one-two. After a blocked initial attempt by Jasoda Munda, Fazila reacted quickly, pouncing on the rebound from six yards out to net her sixth goal of the campaign.
Fazila, pursuing her third consecutive IWL golden boot, almost added another in the 78th minute when her effort rattled the crossbar from inside the box.
Finally, substitute Priyangka Devi Naorem netted the fifth and final goal in the 88th minute. Adrija came out to clear Sarita’s high cross but could only direct it towards an unmarked Priyangka, who finished with a first-time shot from 16 yards out.