IWL 2026-27: Fazila Ikwaput nets stoppage-time winner as East Bengal beat Gokulam Kerala 1-0

East Bengal FC defeated Gokulam Kerala FC 1-0 in the opening match of the 2026-27 Indian Women’s League on 13 November 2026, courtesy of a second-half stoppage-time strike by Fazila Ikwaput. The win handed defending champions East Bengal three points against three-time champions Gokulam Kerala.

East Bengal controlled much of the first half and created the clearer opportunities early on. Fazila Ikwaput set up Hemam Shilky Devi in the 20th minute but Hemam’s effort went over the bar, and Gokulam goalkeeper Shreya Hooda denied Resty Nanziri one-on-one, leaving the score 0-0 at the interval. The match report described East Bengal opening their title defence the hard way but still collecting maximum points.

The second half stayed tight with clear chances at both ends. Naorem Priyangka Devi hit the post with a header from a corner and Hooda kept out Kayenpaibam Anju Chanu from point-blank range. Gokulam created threats mainly through Shilji Shaji and Vanessa Mbinho Chikupila but were unable to convert.

The decisive moment came in stoppage time when Rimpa Haldar released Fazila Ikwaput; Fazila finished past Shreya Hooda to make it 1-0. That strike settled the contest after 90 minutes of largely even play.

East Bengal sit top with three points and a +1 goal difference from the opening fixture, though that advantage covers only one match at this stage. Six teams have yet to play a game and the table can change quickly since a single result can displace East Bengal within a week.

Gokulam travel to face Sethu on 20 November, and the two clubs are scheduled to meet again on 18 December. Other opening fixtures see Nita FA against Garhwal United on 16 November, Kickstart FC Karnataka meet Sethu Madurai at Kalyani on Saturday, and promoted sides HOPS FC and Juba Sangha FC make their debuts against each other on 17 November.

Khel Now’s report noted that East Bengal generated enough chances to win more comfortably but required a late goal because of Hooda’s saves, while Gokulam defended with discipline yet failed to trouble the East Bengal goal; Gokulam’s immediate task is to find attacking output before travelling to Sethu on 20 November.