Gokulam Kerala FC 1 (Shilji Shaji 21’)
drew with
Garhwal United FC 1 (Deepika Pal 52’)
AIFF Media Team
KOLKATA: Gokulam Kerala FC were held to a 1-1 draw by Garhwal United FC in the Indian Women’s League 2025-26, at the National Centre of Excellence in Kolkata, on Friday, January 2, 2026.
Substitute Shilji Shaji (21’) put Gokulam in the lead early on, before Deepika Pal (52’) levelled the proceedings after the changeover. The Malabarians remain sixth on the eight-team table with six points from five matches, while Garhwal provisionally climb one spot to fourth with seven points from four matches.
Garhwal United, coming to the match on the back of successive losses against East Bengal (1-2) and Nita FA (0-1), were eager to get a good start and were at Gokulam’s throats from kick-off. Captain Sanfida Nongrum made an early run, dribbling past her marker to proceed to the byline in the Gokulam box, before sending a cross that Kritina Devi Thounaojam cleared.
Gokulam, however, began to gain control after the early onslaught, Shubhangi Singh producing a shot from outside the box that went just inches over the crossbar.
Minutes later, however, Garhwal’s Fragrancy Riwan sidestepped a defender to shoot from long range, but it was collected by Gokulam custodian Shreya Hooda.
Gokulam were forced into an early substitution in the 19th minute, when their Mozambican forward Cidália Cuta sustained an injury, and was replaced by Shilji Shaji. This change altered the tempo of the game.
Two minutes later, Asem Roja Devi played the ball to Shilji on the right, and the substitute produced a shot that looped over Garhwal goalkeeper Ribansi Jamu and bulged the net.
A goal down, Garhwal looked to keep more possession of the ball and play through the middle. However, Gokulam used this opportunity to press Garhwal’s back-four in their own half, disrupting the latter’s plans.
Lhingdeikim had a great opportunity to pull Garhwal level in the 27th when she was played behind the defence with an aerial through ball by Deepika, but her header went over.
Gokulam, on the other hand, used Shilji’s pace on the flanks to catch the Garhwal defence off guard on multiple occasions. She sent in an accurate ball for Babita Devi in the 34th minute, but the latter failed to control it.
Shilji could have doubled the lead in the closing stages of the first half, when she switched flanks to be played through on the left by Muskan Subba. The winger darted into the box and to the goal line, before checking back inside and shooting from a near-zero angle. Again, the ball went inches wide of the far post.
The 18-year-old continued in the same vein after the restart, twisting and turning on the left in the 47th to play it to Priyadharshini, who shot wide.
It was Garhwal, however, who pulled level against the run of play in the 52nd minute. After earning a free-kick on the right side, in an almost corner-like position, Ribahunshisha Kharshiing’s delivery caused some confusion in the Gokulam box, before Deepika slammed it home from just inside the penalty box.
The goal galvanised Garhwal United, as they began to look for the winner. Their defence, however, had to constantly be mindful of Gokulam’s pace on the counter.
Garhwal had to contend with an injury of their own, as goalkeeper Ribansi had to be replaced by Monika Devi, who had a busy last quarter of an hour; her most immediate task was saving a 76th minute snap shot from Shilji.
With nine minutes’ regulation time left, Monika was caught out of position when Fragrancy, under pressure from Shilji, passed the ball to her. The substitute keeper lunged goalwards and spept the ball away with her feet.
The final whistle was close at hand, and the momentum swung Gokulam’s way again. Garhwal, determined not to lose a third match on the trot, sat deep and only ventured out on the counter. They did manage to make a couple of forays into the Gokulam third, but nothing came of the efforts as the two sides shared the spoils.
