Kickstart FC Karnataka 0
lost to
Garhwal United FC 1 (Lhingdeikim 79’)

AIFF Media Team

KOLKATA: Garhwal United earned their second win in as many matches, defeating Kickstart FC Karnataka 1-0 at the National Centre of Excellence in Kolkata on Wednesday, December 24, 2025.

Lhingdeikim (79’) scored the only goal of the match as newly promoted Garhwal United provisionally moved to the top of the table with six points from two matches – two ahead of second-placed Nita Football Academy.

Kickstart, the more experienced side in the top echelons of women’s football in India, began on the back foot, having to defend a flurry of corners that were eventually dealt with. However, they slowly began to build their attacks and dominate the opposition’s half. Midfielder Kiran Pisda had an early shot whistle over the crossbar.

Garhwal United, for their part, contained the Kickstart attacks well and orchestrated their own forays down the right wing. It was, in fact, Garhwal who—against the run of play—created a couple of close chances towards the end of the first half.

Their Ghanaian centre-back, Ernestina Tetteh, lobbed a through ball over the Kickstart defenders for her compatriot Joyce Larbi to chase. However, Kickstart goalkeeper Maibam Linthoingambi Devi bravely came off her line to snatch the ball from Joyce’s feet.

Kickstart emerged with more intent at the start of the second half, using Ranjana Chanu on the right as their focal point. However, this tactic played into the hands of Garhwal, who waited to draw the Kickstart players into their own half before launching swift counter-attacks.

One particular counter-attack in the 55th minute almost caught the Kickstart defence off guard when Lhingdeikim found space on the right before delivering a swerving cross into the box for Sanfida Nongrum. However, the Garhwal captain, despite leaping well, missed the ball by inches.

These counter-attacks alerted Kickstart to the danger, and they soon began to retreat, allowing Garhwal more space and time to dictate terms. Much like in the first half, however, the defenders prevailed for long periods. Garhwal’s substitute forward, Shruti Kumari, unleashed a strike from long range in the 74th minute, but Linthoingambi was up to the task.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 79th minute when another substitute, Monisha Singha, floated a cross across the face of the goal. Lhingdeikim rushed in to head it home from an acute angle.

The closing stages saw Kickstart orchestrate frantic attacks to draw level. Kiran was played through behind the Garhwal defence in the 85th minute, but Garhwal goalkeeper Ribansi Jamu reacted quickly to smother the ball.

As the clock ran down, Garhwal well and truly signalled their intent in the IWL with this win over one of the league’s established clubs. They may have only just been promoted, but they proved they are more than battle-ready.