East Bengal Opens IWL Title Defence With 1-0 Win

East Bengal opened its Indian Women’s League title defence with a 1-0 win over Gokulam Kerala on November 13, as Fazila Ikwaput scored in the second minute of added time at Kalyani Stadium. The result gives the defending champions three points in the first match of the 2026-27 season.

East Bengal pressed in the first half but was kept out by Gokulam goalkeeper Shreya Hooda and defender Arifa Zaheer Sayed, according to the match account. The champions increased the pressure after the break, but Gokulam’s defence continued to hold firm. Ikwaput found the decisive opening late in the match, turning a goalmouth exchange into the winning goal.

East Bengal is pursuing a third consecutive league title, which would make it the first club to win the competition three years in a row. Gokulam Kerala, a three-time former champion, began the campaign seeking another title after finishing in the middle of the table last season, according to a pre-match report.

The 2026-27 league includes eight clubs and 56 matches in a double round-robin format, with each team scheduled to face the other seven twice. The final round is scheduled for January 23, 2027. The champion will qualify for the AFC...