East Bengal FC successfully defended its Indian Women’s League title with a commanding 2-0 victory over Nita Football Academy in the City of Joy on Thursday, delighting the home crowd with another memorable performance.
The Moshal Girls entered the match as clear favourites after an impressive campaign and once again proved why they had been the team to beat throughout the league. Earlier in the day, East Bengal had already been confirmed as champions after Sethu FC and SESA FA shared points in a 1-1 draw. However, the Kolkata side showed no signs of slowing down and produced a composed display to finish the season on a high.
From the opening whistle, East Bengal controlled possession and dictated the pace of the contest. Nita FA struggled to settle into the game as the hosts pressed high and created several attacking moves in the opening exchanges.
The breakthrough finally came in the 25th minute through Soumya Guguloth. Defender Ashalata Devi delivered a long ball from the back, and Soumya timed her run perfectly before producing a delicate scooped finish over the goalkeeper to hand East Bengal a deserved lead.
Carrying a 1-0 advantage into the second half, East Bengal continued to dominate the midfield and kept Nita FA pinned inside its own half for long periods. The visitors found little space going forward as the Red and Gold Brigade maintained complete control of possession.
The second goal arrived in the 65th minute following an excellent team move. Fazila Ikwaput played a superb pass into Soumya’s path, and the forward showed great composure by dribbling past a defender, rounding the goalkeeper and calmly slotting the ball into the net to complete her brace.
East Bengal continued to search for more goals and nearly added a third in stoppage time when Sulanjana’s powerful effort struck the crossbar in the 91st minute. Nita FA’s frustrations were evident when Nishima Kumari received a yellow card in the 72nd minute.
The closing stages saw East Bengal comfortably manage the game, with Rubina Khatun and Shrabani Murmu replacing Fazila and Resty Nanziri late in stoppage time.
Soumya Guguloth was named Player of the Match for her title-clinching double as East Bengal celebrated another successful IWL campaign in front of its supporters.
