Kickstart were dominant from the get-go and delivered a swift response after their shocking 1-5 home loss to HOPS last week. The win helped the Bengaluru side keep its title hopes alive as it closed the gap to leaders Odisha FC to two points. East Bengal, on the other hand, remain in sixth place with four points from eight games.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
FASTEST GOAL OF SEASON<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Langam Chaoba Devi\u2019s girls wasted no time to get off the mark, scoring the fastest goal of the season so far as defender Aruna Bag headed in Yumlembam Pakpi Devi\u2019s corner after just 48 seconds.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kickstart were all over the hosts in the opening stages of the contest and came very near to doubling the advantage when Sonia Marak\u2019s left-footed effort struck the crossbar in the sixth minute.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But the midfielder got a well-deserved first goal of the campaign at the half-hour mark as she caught the East Bengal defence napping and scored with a clean header from Supriya Routray\u2019s looping cross from the left.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Red and Gold Brigade, who were largely confined to their own half in the first 45 minutes and struggled to get a foothold in the game, found some much-needed inspiration from their new signing Sanjida Akhter.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Three minutes into the second half, the Bangladesh international scored her first IWL goal with a sensational free-kick from more than 40 yards out. Her meticulous effort dipped under the crossbar just in time to leave goalkeeper Maibam Linthoingambi Devi with no chance.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
However, the joy in the East Bengal camp didn\u2019t last long as Karishma Shirvoikar\u2019s 56th-minute strike restored the visitors\u2019 two-goal advantage. Seema Kispotta\u2019s clearance fell onto the path of the IWL top-scorer, who juggled her way into the box and dispatched the ball into the top corner, knocking the wind out of East Bengal\u2019s sail.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Karishma and Sanjida remained their side\u2019s respective protagonists for the rest of the match, with the majority of the chances falling to them. The East Bengal midfielder blazed over a first-time effort from close range, but the flag went up for offside.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
At the other end, Karishma was sent clean through on goal but was denied her ninth goal of the season by a solid last-ditch block from experienced centre-back Michel Castanha.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kickstart will next travel to Bhubaneswar to face bottom side Sports Odisha on February 10. Unfortunately for East Bengal, Monday\u2019s defeat was the last of their six home matches this season, of which they failed to win any. The Red and Gold Brigade will be on the road to face former champions Sethu FC in Vasco da Gama, Goa on February 11.<\/p>\r\n\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2024\/02\/iwl-2023-24-kickstart-restore-winning-form-with-fine-performance-against-east-bengal.jpg", "alt_img": "IWL 2023-24: Kickstart restore winning form with fine performance against East Bengal", "alt_title": "IWL 2023-24: Kickstart restore winning form with fine performance against East Bengal", "image1": null, "video": null, "seo_title": "IWL 2023-24: Kickstart Restore Winning Form With Fine Performance Against East Bengal On Cricketnmore", "seo_desc": "IWL 2023-24: Kickstart Restore Winning Form With Fine Performance Against East Bengal, FASTEST GOAL OF SEASON: Last season's runner-up Kickstart FC bounced back from their first loss of the Indian Women's League.", "seo_keywords": "East Bengal, Indian Women, East Bengal Ground, Kickstart FC, Odisha FC, FASTEST GOAL OF SEASON, Langam Chaoba Devi, Aruna Bag, Yumlembam Pakpi Devi, Sonia Marak, Supriya Routray, The Red, Gold Brigade, Sanjida Akhter, Maibam Linthoingambi Devi, Karishma", "tag": "", "tagging": "East Bengal, Indian Women, East Bengal Ground, Kickstart FC, Odisha FC, FASTEST GOAL OF SEASON, Langam Chaoba Devi, Aruna Bag, Yumlembam Pakpi Devi, Sonia Marak, Supriya Routray, The Red, Gold Brigade, Sanjida Akhter, Maibam Linthoingambi Devi", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "1", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": null, "slug": "iwl-2023-24-kickstart-restore-winning-form-with-fine-performance-against-east-bengal", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "0", "ians_date": null, "ians_time": null, "server_time": null, "trash": "0", "view_count": "733", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "1", "auto_link": "0", "created": "2024-02-05 17:26:03", "updated": "2024-02-05 17:26:03", "img_from": "Image Source: IANS", "img_source": null, "schedule_publish": null, "news_keywords": "East Bengal, Indian Women, East Bengal Ground, Kickstart FC, Odisha FC, FASTEST GOAL OF SEASON, Langam Chaoba Devi, Aruna Bag, Yumlembam Pakpi Devi, Sonia Marak, Supriya Routray, The Red, Gold Brigade, Sanjida Akhter, Maibam Linthoingambi Devi, Karishma", "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "1", "google_feed": "1", "read_more": "0", "posted_by": "23", "jio_date": "2024-02-05 17:26:03", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "0", "breaking_news": "0", "google_date": null, "featured": "0", "sports_name": "others", "cnmid": "862123", "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/sports-news\/iwl-2023-24-kickstart-restore-winning-form-with-fine-performance-against-east-bengal-12940" }