Juanita Aguadze scored a brace, including a second-half penalty, as Sethu Madurai began their IWL 2026–27 campaign with a 2-1 victory over Kickstart FC Karnataka.
Kolkata, November 14: Kalyani witnessed a different kind of derby, not the Kolkata derby the familiar one, the southern derby. On Saturday Sethu Madurai and Kickstart FC Karnataka brought their regional rivalry to the Indian Women’s League (IWL) 2026–27. And Sethu who walked away with the victory, securing a 2–1 win at the Kalyani Stadium, courtesy of a Juanita Aguadze brace, including a second-half penalty.
Both sides had their share of moments in a closely contested opening, with Kickstart looking to dictate the early proceedings through their midfield combinations. They kept more possession in the initial stages but struggled to turn it into a clear breakthrough. Sethu, meanwhile, looked dangerous whenever they found space on the counter, with captain Malavika P leading the charge down the right flank.
The breakthrough came in the 18th minute when Malavika picked out Juanita inside the attacking area. The Ghanaian made no mistake, sending the ball into the top corner to put Sethu ahead. However, their lead lasted only six minutes. Kickstart found their equaliser from a corner, with Juanita inadvertently turning the ball into her own net in the 24th minute.
The two goals brought the contest back on level terms, but neither side managed to take control before half-time. Both teams continued to look for openings through the midfield, although the final ball and finishing were missing whenever they approached the opposition goal.
Sethu returned for the second half with greater intent and began putting Kickstart’s defence under pressure. Juanita came close on a couple of times, but Kickstart goalkeeper Aiswarya Arumugam stood firm to deny her a second goal.
The forward, however, continued to trouble the opposition defence. In the 67th minute, Juanita made a driving run down the left before Musken Subba was brought down inside the penalty area. Stepping up to take the spot-kick herself, the Ghanaian converted to restore Sethu’s lead and complete her brace.
With the advantage back in their hands, Sethu looked to put the contest beyond Kickstart’s reach. They continued to push forward and created opportunities for a third goal, but couldn’t find the finishing touch. Kickstart, on the other hand, had to chase the game as the clock ticked down, committing more players forward in search of another equaliser.
Nira Chanu came closest to rescuing a point for Kickstart with a long-range attempt, but Sethu’s defensive unit remained organised through the closing stages. Despite the late pressure, they held their ground to secure all three points from their opening fixture.
It was a hard-fought start to the campaign for Sethu, who began their IWL 2026–27 journey with a win in a contest that had all the ingredients of a southern derby.
The Lxme IWL 2026–27 action will resume on Monday, November 16, when NITA Football Academy take on BBFS Garhwal United FC at the Kalyani Stadium.
IWL 2026-27 – Suthu vs Kickstart full match
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