Kalyani, Jan 2 (NationPress) The defending champions East Bengal FC have taken the lead in the Indian Women’s League 2025-26 with a decisive 5-0 victory over Nita Football Academy at Kalyani Stadium in Kalyani, West Bengal, on Friday.

What was anticipated to be a closely contested match on paper turned out to be a one-sided affair. East Bengal’s familiar goal scorers Sulanjana Raul (6') and Soumya Guguloth (42') found the net in the first half, while the Ugandan duo of Resty Nanziri (50') and Fazila Ikwaput (63') solidified the lead early in the second half. Substitute Priyangka Devi Naorem sealed the deal with a fifth goal in the 88th minute.

With four consecutive wins, East Bengal now stands at the top of the points table. Sethu FC, who also achieved a convincing 5-0 victory against Sesa on the same day, is in second place with 10 points from five matches, while Nita FA, also with 10 points, has fallen to third due to goal difference.

Following their record-breaking 9-0 win against Sesa, East Bengal kicked off the new year as emphatically as they concluded the previous one. Sulanjana Raul opened the scoring just six minutes in with an outstanding finish. After receiving a cut-back from the by-line by Resty Nanziri, the 18-year-old executed a perfect first touch before curling the ball into the far corner with her right foot, marking her third goal in three matches.

As expected, the Moshal Girls were relentless in their pursuit of extending their lead, creating several chances in the minutes that followed.

Sushmita Lepcha, who provided a hat-trick of assists in the last match, saw her cross narrowly miss Fazila Ikwaput in the center, while Soumya Guguloth managed only a light touch as the ball went out for a goal-kick. Later, Nita goalkeeper Adrija Sarkhel thwarted Fazila in a one-on-one situation, followed by Resty blasting her shot over on the rebound.

Eventually, Nita found their footing and started to control more of the ball. However, despite being the league's top scorers prior to this match with 13 goals, Paromita Sit’s side struggled to penetrate East Bengal's defense.

East Bengal remained clinical and were rewarded with a second goal just three minutes before the break. Sitting slightly deeper than usual, Fazila slipped a fine through ball to Soumya in the middle. The AIFF Women’s Player of the Year took it at the top of the box and shot it into the bottom corner with her weaker left foot, making it 2-0.

East Bengal continued their aggressive play in the second half. Anthony Andrews’ side scored their third goal in the 50th minute from a set-piece. A seemingly harmless corner from Sarita Yumnam fortuitously found its way to Resty, who made an excellent turn to evade defenders and launched a powerful shot into the net as Adrija's leap was in vain.

Resty then turned provider for the next goal in the 63rd minute, executing a brilliant one-two with her compatriot Fazila. After receiving Resty’s cross, Fazila saw her initial attempt blocked by Jasoda Munda, but quickly capitalized on the rebound from six yards to register her sixth goal of the season.

Fazila, aiming for her third consecutive IWL golden boot, nearly added another to her tally in the 78th minute when she hit the crossbar from inside the box.

In the end, substitute Priyangka Devi Naorem netted the fifth and final goal in the 88th minute. Adrija attempted to parry Sarita’s high cross but could only deflect it towards an unmarked Priyangka, who finished with a first-time shot from 16 yards.