Former champions Sethu FC started their campaign on a confident note as they recorded a 2-1 win over Kickstart FC in the opening match of the Indian Women’s League at the AIFF National Center of Excellence on Saturday.
In another match at the Kalyani Stadium, Gokulam Kerala FC and Nita FA shared the points as they played out a 1-1 draw, while in the match between the two debutants, Garhwal FC defeated Sesa Football Academy of Goa 3-1.
With defending champions East Bengal FC currently competing in the SAFF women’s club championship, the opening match against Sreebhumi FC has been postponed to a later date.
READ ALSO | East Bengal wins the first SAFF Women’s Club Championship
Given the uncertainty gripping the Indian football league calendar this season, the successful start of the IWL came as a welcome relief to the followers of the game. The tournament has been reduced to a low-key affair, with organizers All India Football Federation opting to host the tournament at its own academy ground in Kolkata, which does have spectator stands, while the other series of matches will be hosted in the district town of Kalyani.
Sethu FC suffered an initial setback and conceded an early goal when Kickstart FC earned a penalty and took the lead through Babysana Devi’s successful conversion from the spot. Sethu quickly regrouped and restored parity in the 20th minute when Kaviya Pakkirisamy delivered a fine solo effort to find the target for the former champion.
Sethu continued to push for the lead and the efforts paid off in the 50th minute when Malavika P. netted the ball from a set piece. For three-time champions Gokulam Kerala, the start did not go as expected as they had to fight hard to force a draw against Odisha’s Nita Football Academy.
The results:
(At Kalyani): Gokulam Kerala FC 1 (Cidalia Daniel Cuta 46) drew with Nita Football Academy 1 (Neha 40).
(At NCE, Kolkata): Sethu FC 2 (Kaviya Pakkirisamy 20, Malavika P 50) bt Kickstart FC 1 (Babysana Devi 12-pen); Garhwal United FC 3 (Lhingdeikim 12, Sanfida Nongrum 15, Deepika Pal 45+4) bt Sesa FA 1 (Sarjida Khatun 89).
Published on December 20, 2025
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