IWL 2025-26: East Bengal FC, Sethu FC secure important wins; SESA FA's misery widen after Round 7

East Bengal FC lead at the halfway point of IWL.

The seventh round of the Indian Women’s League (IWL) 2025-26 season finished with East Bengal FC reigning supreme stop the standings following the end of the first phase. The Torchbearers, who are unbeaten through their six games in the league this season, won 0-3 away from home against Gokulam Kerala FC.

Following the conclusion of Round 7, the relegation spots currently see Kickstart Karnataka FC and SESA FA in a battle to avoid the drop. The matchweek witnessed both sides go head-to-head against each other, with Kickstart Karnataka FC reigning supreme in a 3-1 win.

Kickstart Karnataka and NITA FA secure wins in Round 7

Kickstart Karnataka FC kicked off Round 7 proceedings with a 3-1 win over SESA FA courtesy of a sublime hat-trick from Emem Peace Essien, cancelling out Aniela Barretto’s effort in the 17th minute. The win eases pressure on Kickstart Karnataka FC as they now remain one point adrift of Gokulam Kerala FC after Round 7.

NITA FA also secured a dramatic win in the dying embers of the game as Pyari Xaxa completed her brace in the 90th minut,e as Sribhumi fans were heartbroken. Two goals from Xaxa and an own goal from Karishma Shirvoikar were enough to help NITA FA seal three important points in the IWL standings.

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East Bengal FC finish the 2025-26 season with a flourish

The dominant Torchbearers sealed their second consecutive IWL title following a clinical 3-0 win over Gokulam Kerala FC, courtesy of goals from Sulanjana Raul, Resty Nanziri, and Fazila Ikwaput. A game where two sides who have defined the IWL over the years played each other signalled a changing of the guard in some respects.

Sethu FC also won their final game in the IWL season with a 4-1 win over Garhwal United FC. Goals from Dhurga Perumal, Malavika M, Lynda Kom Serto, and Phanjoubam Nirmala Devi were enough for Sethu to secure an impressive win over this season’s newly promoted side.

Round 7 of the campaign clearly showed that at the halfway point, East Bengal remains the dominant team that scored 25 goals while only conceding one goal over the six games. The 2025-26 season seems like a campaign that IWL fans will fondly remember for the thrill,s as fans await the start of the second phase of the IWL season in April 2026.

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