Fazila Ikwaput's stoppage-time winner gives East Bengal winning start in Lxme IWL 2026-27

East Bengal FC began their Lxme Indian Women's League (IWL) 2026-27 campaign with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Gokulam Kerala FC at the Kalyani Stadium on Friday. Fazila Ikwaput struck in second-half stoppage time to settle a closely contested opening fixture and secure all three points for the hosts.

For much of the contest, East Bengal had to contend with Gokulam's organised defensive structure and the inability to convert their possession into an early breakthrough. Both sides created opportunities, but goalkeepers and defensive interventions kept the score level until the closing moments. Just when a draw appeared likely, Rimpa Haldar found Fazila with a decisive pass, allowing the forward to finish past Shreya Hooda and deliver a late victory.

East Bengal started on the front foot, enjoying a greater share of possession and looking to establish attacking control. Sulanjana Raul was among the early standouts, using her footwork and attacking intent to trouble the Gokulam defence. The visitors, however, remained disciplined and restricted the hosts from finding a clear route to goal.

Fazila was involved in one of East Bengal's promising moves in the 20th minute. She created an opportunity for Hemam Shilky Devi, but Shilky's effort sailed over the crossbar. The hosts continued to look for openings, with Gokulam maintaining their defensive organisation and waiting for opportunities to threaten on the counter.

Six minutes later, East Bengal came close again. Shilky Devi played Resty Nanziri through on goal, giving the forward an opportunity to break the deadlock. Gokulam goalkeeper Shreya Hooda responded with an important save, keeping her side in the contest.

Neither team managed to score before the interval, and the sides went into half-time at 0-0. East Bengal had enjoyed the stronger share of possession, but Gokulam's defensive resilience ensured that the opening period ended without a goal.

Gokulam threaten after the break

Gokulam Kerala FC began the second half with greater attacking intent. Shilji Shaji sent an effort wide as the visitors looked to make their presence felt in the final third. Vanessa Mbinho Chikupila also threatened down the flank, offering Gokulam an attacking outlet and testing East Bengal's defensive shape.

East Bengal responded by increasing the pressure. Their persistence nearly produced the opening goal when Loitongbam Ashalata Devi delivered a corner that found Naorem Priyangka Devi. The latter connected with a header, but her attempt struck the post, denying the hosts a breakthrough.

Fazila continued to be a threat as East Bengal searched for a winner. The forward attempted to chip Hooda, but the effort did not produce the goal the hosts wanted. Gokulam's goalkeeper remained central to her team's resistance, producing another significant intervention to keep the score level.

One of her most important contributions came when Kayenpaibam Anju Chanu found an opportunity from close range. Hooda reacted brilliantly with a point-blank save, preventing East Bengal from taking the lead and keeping Gokulam's hopes of securing a result alive.

The repeated saves underlined Gokulam's ability to remain competitive despite East Bengal's sustained pressure. For the hosts, the challenge was to maintain their attacking urgency and find a way past a goalkeeper who had repeatedly denied them.

Rimpa Haldar creates the decisive moment

The breakthrough finally arrived in second-half stoppage time. With the match approaching its conclusion, Rimpa Haldar played Fazila through on goal. The forward made no mistake with the opportunity, finishing past Hooda to give East Bengal a 1-0 lead.

It was a decisive moment in a match where the difference between the teams had remained marginal for almost the entire 90 minutes. Fazila, who had earlier created an opportunity for Shilky Devi and threatened with an attempted chip, delivered when it mattered most.

The late goal ensured East Bengal opened their league campaign with three points. It also rewarded their persistence after a second half in which they had struck the woodwork and forced Hooda into several important saves.

For Gokulam Kerala FC, the result will be a difficult one to take after remaining defensively organised for long periods and keeping East Bengal at bay until stoppage time. Hooda's performance had given the visitors a realistic chance of leaving Kalyani with a point, but Fazila's late finish ultimately decided the contest.

The result gives East Bengal an encouraging start to the 2026-27 season, while Gokulam will look to respond in their upcoming fixtures.

The Lxme IWL action continues on Saturday, November 14, when Kickstart FC Karnataka take on Sethu Madurai at the Kalyani Stadium. The fixture will provide the next opportunity for teams to begin building momentum in the new campaign.