IWL 2023: Gokulam Kerala FC break multiple national records in landmark win over Kahaani

DEFENDING IWL CHAMPIONS Gokulam Kerala FC broke two landmark records in Indian football today as they beat Kahaani FC 14-1 this morning.

The match, which was the second GKFC game in a row that was not broadcast due to AIFF's decision not to live stream the morning kick-offs, saw the league favourites brush aside the local underdogs with Sandhiya Ranganathan scoring 5 goals and Sabitra Bhandari adding 4 more to her impressive tally. The only goal for bottom-table Kahaani FC (the first IWL goal in the club's history) was the result of an own goal scored by GKFC player Ranjana Chanu.

YOU ARE UNSTOPPABLE! With 5 crucial goals and a well-earned Player of the Match award, she has shown us her incredible talent #GKFC #Malabarians #IWL #DefendingChampions pic.twitter.com/udrl1DscIy

— Gokulam Kerala FC (@GokulamKeralaFC) May 6, 2023

But while the Malabarians' victory was an expected outcome, what makes this game remarkable is its historic significance. Gokulam Kerala FC, courtesy this result, now hold the longest unbeaten streak in the history of Indian football's top division leauges regarless of gender. It's now been 23 matches since anyone was able to beat GKFC.

The previous longest unbeaten streak belonged to East Bengal, who went unbeaten for an incredible 22 matches in the men's top division.

GKFC now have the chance to chase down the longest unbeaten streak in the history of Asian top division leagues, which currently belongs to the Bashundhara Kings women's team, at 37 matches and counting.

But that was not the only national record that GKFC made this morning. Their 14-1 win also marked the biggest victory by any side in the history of Indian Women's League proper. There have been bigger results in the IWL preliminary stages - the biggest being FC Alakhpura's 18-0 win over Wahingdoh SC - but those are technically qualifier matches.

The record for the biggest win in the history of the Indian top division league regardless of gender still belongs to Dempo SC who beat Air India by a margin of 14-0 in 2012.

Gokulam Kerala FC remain at the top of the Group A table with 13 points from 5 matches. They are 1 win away from ensuring a qualification in the IWL knockout stages.

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