Soumya Guguloth’s brace fires East Bengal to Indian Women’s League title

Telangana’s Soumya Guguloth scored a brace as East Bengal FC defeated Nita Football Academy 2–0 to win the Indian Women’s League title in Kolkata. Gokulam Kerala and Sethu FC also registered results as the league table was finalised after Matchday 12.

Hyderabad: Soumya Guguloth of Telangana, playing for East Bengal FC, was the star performer scoring a brace to fashion her team’s 2-0 win against Nita Football Academy and emerge champions in the Indian Women’s League in Kolkata on Tuesday night.
Earlier in the day, Gokulam Kerala FC secured a 1-0 win against Sribhumi FC, while Sethu FC and Sesa Football Academy played out a 1-1 draw.

Following the conclusion of Matchday 12, champions East Bengal FC sit at the top of the table with 33 points. Sethu FC occupy the second spot with 23 points, while Kickstart FC Karnataka follow in third with 19 points. ita Football Academy and Gokulam Kerala FC are locked on 16 points each in mid-table. SESA Football Academy are in eighth place with three points.

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East Bengal was the team to beat throughout the league and once again proved why they carried the favourites’ tag.

The hosts dictated the tempo from the opening whistle and broke the deadlock in the 25th minute. Soumya Guguloth, who hails from Nizamabad and is now working in State Bank Group in Hyderabad, executed a precise scoop to open the scoring for the Moshal Girls, latching onto a long ball played all the way from the centre-back position by Ashalata Devi.

Carrying a 1-0 lead into the second half, East Bengal FC continued to control possession and pressed for a second goal to put the game to bed.

Their attacking intent paid off in the 65th minute with a spectacular team move. Fazila Ikwaput produced a sublime pass to Soumya, who dribbled past a defender, rounded the goalkeeper, and calmly slotted the ball home to score the second goal for herself and the team.

The Red and Gold Brigade continued creating chances one after another, and Sulanjana nearly added a third when her shot hit the crossbar in the 91st minute. At the other end, there was little attacking threat from Nita FA as East Bengal FC made sure possession remained firmly in their control throughout the contest.

Nita FA’s Nishima Kumari picked up a yellow card in the 72nd minute out of frustration. To run down the clock and safely manage the final stages, East Bengal FC brought off Fazila and Resty Nanziri, while Rubina Khatun and Shrabani Murmu came onto the pitch deep into stoppage time (90+3′). Soumya Guguloth was rightfully named the Player of the Match for her title-clinching brace.