Fazila Ikwaput Hat-Trick Fires East Bengal to Dominant Win, Extends Lead at the Top

Defending champions East Bengal FC continued their commanding run in the Indian Women’s League 2025-26, registering a comprehensive 3-1 victory over Sribhumi Sports Club at the East Bengal Ground in Kolkata on Monday. 

The result not only reinforced their position at the top of the table but also underlined their attacking authority, led once again by Fazila Ikwaput. The Ugandan forward delivered a clinical hat-trick, taking her tally in the competition to 54 goals and moving past Ngangom Bala Devi to become the second-highest scorer in the history of the league. More importantly, her performance ensured East Bengal moved to 21 points from seven matches, maintaining their strong grip on the title race.

From the opening whistle, East Bengal imposed themselves with an aggressive pressing structure and direct attacking approach. Their intent was clear to dominate territory and force errors high up the pitch. Ikwaput, central to their attacking system, found the net early, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.

Despite that early setback, the hosts continued to create opportunities. Ikwaput remained at the heart of nearly every attacking move, combining well with Ashalata Devi and Soumya Guguloth. Her movement behind the defensive line consistently troubled Sribhumi, even though the finishing touch initially eluded her. Sribhumi, to their credit, showed moments of composure in possession. They attempted to build from the back and created a few half-chances, particularly through Rimpa Haldar and Karishma Shirvoikar. However, their attacking phases lacked the consistency needed to truly test East Bengal’s defensive structure.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 37th minute, and it was emblematic of East Bengal’s persistence. A long ball into the attacking third was misjudged by the Sribhumi defence, allowing Ikwaput to capitalise. Demonstrating composure under pressure, she slotted the ball past the advancing goalkeeper to give her side a deserved lead. East Bengal nearly extended their advantage before halftime, while Sribhumi came close through a rare attacking moment that saw the ball strike the crossbar. However, the hosts carried a narrow 1-0 lead into the break one that did not fully reflect their dominance.

If the first half showcased control, the second half demonstrated efficiency. Within a minute of the restart, Ikwaput doubled the lead with a well-taken goal, cutting inside before curling a precise finish into the bottom corner. That early strike effectively shifted the momentum entirely in East Bengal’s favour. With a two-goal cushion, they began to dictate the tempo more comfortably, keeping Sribhumi pinned deep inside their half.

The third goal arrived on the hour mark, once again through Ikwaput. Displaying sharp awareness and strength under pressure, she turned quickly inside the box and struck decisively to complete her hat-trick. At 3-0, the contest was effectively settled. While East Bengal’s attack grabbed the headlines, their defensive discipline remained equally impressive. Led by a well-organised backline, they limited Sribhumi to sporadic opportunities and controlled transitions effectively.

Sribhumi did manage to pull one back in the 80th minute, capitalising on a rare midfield lapse. Rimpa Haldar finished clinically to reduce the deficit, handing East Bengal only their second goal conceded of the season. However, the late goal had little impact on the overall outcome. East Bengal comfortably saw out the remaining minutes, ensuring the three points were never in doubt.

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Fazila Ikwaput’s performance was the defining feature of the match. Beyond the hat-trick, her movement, positioning, and ability to exploit defensive errors stood out. She consistently found space between lines and provided a constant outlet for her teammates.

Her rise up the league’s all-time scoring charts is a reflection of both consistency and adaptability. In a system built around quick transitions and high pressing, Ikwaput has emerged as the focal point of East Bengal’s attacking play. With seven wins from as many matches, East Bengal have not only established themselves as table leaders but also as the most complete side in the competition. Their combination of attacking efficiency and defensive solidity makes them difficult to disrupt.

For Sribhumi, the result highlights areas that require improvement, particularly in handling sustained pressure and maintaining defensive organisation against high-intensity opponents. East Bengal’s 3-1 victory was less about the scoreline and more about the authority with which it was achieved. From sustained pressure in the first half to clinical execution in the second, the defending champions delivered a performance that reinforced their credentials.

As the league progresses, maintaining this level of consistency will be crucial. For now, with Fazila Ikwaput in form and the team operating cohesively, East Bengal continue to set the standard in the Indian Women’s League.