East Bengal FC’s maiden journey in the AFC Women’s Champions League came to a heartbreaking conclusion on Sunday, as the Indian Women’s League champions suffered a comprehensive 3-0 defeat to Uzbekistan’s PFC Nasaf in their final Group B encounter in Wuhan, China. The loss ended what had been a historic campaign for Indian women’s football, as the Kolkata-based side became the first Indian club to win a main-draw match in the competition’s history.
Table of Contents
Match Summary: Nasaf Dominates from Start to Finish
Nasaf controlled proceedings from the opening whistle, with captain Nilufar Kudratova driving dangerously into the East Bengal penalty area in the early minutes. The Uzbekistan side’s pressure paid off quickly.
| Match Timeline | Event |
|---|---|
| 18th minute | Diyorakhon Khabibullaeva opens scoring with tap-in |
| 52nd minute | Zarina Norboeva doubles Nasaf’s lead |
| 90+8 minute | Khabibullaeva completes brace from rebound |
| Full-time | Nasaf 3-0 East Bengal |
Nasaf’s opening goal arrived in the 18th minute when captain Kudratova made the same penetrating run into the box, this time picking out Diyorakhon Khabibullaeva for a simple tap-in. The goal lifted the pressure off the Uzbekistan side and allowed them to play with greater fluidity and confidence.
East Bengal’s Struggles and Missed Opportunities
East Bengal remained on the backfoot for much of the first half, finally managing their first shot on target in the 39th minute when Fazila Ikwaput’s free-kick was comfortably saved by Nasaf custodian Maftuna Jonimqulova.
The second half brought little respite for the Indian champions. Nasaf extended their advantage seven minutes after the interval through Zarina Norboeva, who found herself in the right place at the right time to steer home.
East Bengal had a golden opportunity to pull a goal back in the 61st minute when Amnah Nababi played Soumya Guguloth through on goal with only the goalkeeper to beat, but Guguloth struck the ball straight at Jonimqulova. The woodwork came to East Bengal’s rescue for the third time in the match in the 66th minute after another dangerous cross was flicked on by Khabibullaeva past goalkeeper Elangbam Panthoi Chanu, only to be denied by the crossbar.
Nasaf sealed their impressive performance with a third deep into stoppage time, with Panthoi saving Karachik’s initial attempt but unable to prevent Khabibullaeva from scoring on the follow-up.
Group B Final Standings and Qualification Scenario
The victory moved Nasaf to second place in Group B with four points, guaranteeing them a spot in the quarter-finals alongside group winners Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC of China. East Bengal concluded their debut campaign in third place with three points, while Iran’s Bam Khatoon FC finished at the bottom, also with three points.
| Group B Final Table | Played | Won | Lost | Points | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wuhan Jiangda WFC (CHN) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 6 | Qualified |
| PFC Nasaf (UZB) | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 | Qualified |
| East Bengal FC (IND) | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | Eliminated |
| Bam Khatoon FC (IRN) | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | Eliminated |
The cruel mathematics of tournament football ultimately sealed East Bengal’s fate. In the rankings for best third-placed teams, South Korea’s Suwon FC qualified from Group C with four points, alongside Philippines’ Stallion Laguna FC with three points. Although Stallion Laguna were level with East Bengal on goal difference, the Indian side had scored fewer goals overall, which knocked them out of the last eight.
East Bengal’s Historic Campaign Highlights
Despite the disappointing conclusion, East Bengal’s AFC Women’s Champions League debut will be remembered for several landmark achievements that have elevated Indian women’s club football to unprecedented heights.
East Bengal etched their name into Indian football history by becoming the first-ever Indian team to win a main-draw match at the AFC Women’s Champions League, defeating Iranian champions Bam Khatoon FC 3-1 in their Group B opener. Goals from Shilky Hemam and Fazila Ikwaput set the tone before Resty Nanziri sealed the historic victory.
East Bengal’s Group Stage Results
The Moshal Girls had earlier defeated Bam Khatoon FC 3-1 before losing 0-2 to defending champions Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC, setting up the must-win scenario against Nasaf.
| Match | Opponent | Result | Scorers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match 1 | Bam Khatoon FC (IRN) | 3-1 Win | Hemam, Ikwaput, Nanziri |
| Match 2 | Wuhan Jiangda WFC (CHN) | 0-2 Loss | – |
| Match 3 | PFC Nasaf (UZB) | 0-3 Loss | – |
The Road to Continental Competition
East Bengal earned their ticket to the AFC Women’s Champions League after clinching their maiden Indian Women’s League title with a game to spare on April 11, 2025, defeating Odisha 1-0 at Kalyani Stadium. The Red and Gold brigade sealed their continental qualification after a dominant IWL campaign, winning 12 of their 14 matches.
In the preliminary round, East Bengal topped Group E after defeating hosts Phnom Penh Crown FC 1-0 and drawing 1-1 with Kitchee SC, with Fazila Ikwaput scoring the club’s first-ever goal in Asian club football. East Bengal became only the second Indian club to reach the group stage of Asia’s premier women’s competition, following Odisha FC who debuted in the inaugural season.
Analysis: What Went Wrong Against Nasaf?
The statistics paint a sobering picture of East Bengal’s final group match. The Indian champions struggled to create clear-cut chances against a well-organized Nasaf side that demonstrated superior tactical discipline and clinical finishing.
Nasaf controlled the game from the opening whistle, with Kudratova repeatedly driving into the box and causing problems for the East Bengal defense. The Uzbekistan side’s ability to hit the woodwork three times while also scoring three goals highlighted their attacking threat and East Bengal’s defensive vulnerabilities.
The absence of composure in crucial moments proved costly. When opportunities arose, particularly Guguloth’s one-on-one with the goalkeeper, East Bengal failed to capitalize, while Nasaf demonstrated ruthless efficiency in converting their chances.
Impact on Indian Women’s Football
East Bengal created history by becoming the first Indian side to win an AFC Champions League game in the main draw, having beaten Bam Khatoon FC in their opening match. This achievement represents a significant milestone for Indian women’s football, demonstrating that domestic clubs can compete at the continental level.
This is only the second edition of the AFC Women’s Champions League, with Odisha FC representing India in the inaugural season by progressing from the preliminary stage to the main draw before bowing out in the group stage. East Bengal’s campaign has continued building momentum for Indian women’s club football on the Asian stage.
What’s Next for East Bengal?
East Bengal’s attention will now turn to the inaugural edition of the SAFF Club Women’s Championship, scheduled to be held from December 5 to 20 in Kathmandu, Nepal. The regional tournament provides an opportunity for the Indian champions to regroup and end 2025 on a positive note.
The experience gained from competing against continental powerhouses like Wuhan Jiangda and facing different tactical approaches will prove invaluable for East Bengal’s development. The club’s investment in quality coaching staff, international players, and infrastructure has already yielded historic results, and this continental exposure will accelerate their growth trajectory.
While the quarter-finals remained tantalizingly out of reach, East Bengal has firmly established itself as a force in Asian women’s football. The Kolkata giants have shown that Indian clubs belong on the continental stage, and their pioneering victory against Bam Khatoon FC will inspire future generations of Indian women footballers.
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FAQs
Why was East Bengal eliminated despite having the same points as another qualifying team?
East Bengal finished with three points and matched Philippines’ Stallion Laguna FC on goal difference, but were eliminated because they had scored fewer goals overall in the tournament, which served as the tiebreaker criterion.
What was East Bengal’s historic achievement in this AFC Women’s Champions League?
East Bengal became the first Indian team ever to win a main-draw match at the AFC Women’s Champions League, defeating Iran’s Bam Khatoon FC 3-1 in their opening Group B encounter.
How did East Bengal qualify for the AFC Women’s Champions League?
East Bengal qualified by winning the 2024-25 Indian Women’s League title, clinching their maiden national championship with 12 wins in 14 matches and defeating Odisha FC 1-0 to secure the title.
Who scored the goals for Nasaf in the 3-0 victory?
Diyorakhon Khabibullaeva scored twice (18th and 90+8 minutes) with a brace, while Zarina Norboeva added the second goal in the 52nd minute to complete Nasaf’s dominant performance.
What tournament will East Bengal participate in next?
East Bengal will compete in the inaugural SAFF Club Women’s Championship scheduled from December 5-20, 2025, in Kathmandu, Nepal, representing India in the regional club competition.
