East Bengal Women blow away Nita FA to claim IWL Summit Spot

Defending champions East Bengal FC Women delivered a commanding performance at Kalyani Stadium today, thrashing Odisha's Nita FA 5-0 in their fourth Indian Women's League 2025-26 match.

This emphatic win

propels EBFC Women to the summit of the standings with a perfect record-four victories from four outings (17 goals scored, just 1 conceded)-usurping previous leaders Nita, who tasted defeat for the first time. It also stretches their unbeaten run to nine games, dating back to their SAFF Women's Club Championship triumph in December.

EBFC Women struck early, with Sulanjana Raul firing them ahead in the 6th minute. She latched onto Resty Nanziri's clever flick and rifled a fierce shot into the far corner.

The lead doubled right before the interval in the 42nd minute, as Soumya Guguloth unleashed a sharp left-footed strike from Fazila Ikwaput's pinpoint assist-her fifth goal of the season.

EBFC held a 2-0 advantage at halftime, dominating with 10 shots (4 on target) to Nita's meager 2 attempts, none testing goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu.

The onslaught resumed post-break. Resty Nanziri netted the third in the 50th minute from Sarita Yumnam's corner delivery.

Ikwaput, Golden Boot winner from the past two IWL editions, added the fourth-and her sixth this campaign-in the 63rd minute, linking up slickly with Resty for a cool finish.

Substitute Naorem Priyangka Devi sealed the rout, capitalizing on a keeper blunder with a left-footed strike-her first game back after nine months sidelined by an ACL injury.

Nita mustered 45% possession but failed to land a single shot on target, offering scant threat. Resty Nanziri earned Player of the Match honors.

EBFC Women's Head Coach Anthony Andrews reflected post-match: "This game was vastly different from the one we played against SESA. The previous game was more about increasing the goal difference. Nita was the table-topper before this game, so we had to be tactically smart. Credit goes to our players for being defensively solid and executing our plans effectively. To defend a title, you need to take one match at a time, so there's no room for complacency. "

The Red and Gold brigade will be up against Kickstart FC on January 6 at the Kalyani Stadium.