The fairytale continues for East Bengal FC Women as they prepare for their biggest challenge yet in the AFC Women’s Champions League 2025-26. Fresh off a commanding 3-1 victory over Iran’s Bam Khatoon FC, East Bengal now faces defending champions Wuhan Jiangda FC on November 20 at the Hankou Cultural Sports Centre in Wuhan, China. For the Indian champions sitting atop Group B, this clash represents a defining moment in their maiden continental campaign.
Table of Contents
East Bengal vs Wuhan: Current Group B Standings
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Draw | Lost | GD | Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Bengal FC 🇮🇳 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +2 | 3:1 | 3 |
| 2 | FC Nasaf 🇺🇿 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1:1 | 1 |
| 3 | Wuhan Jiangda 🇨🇳 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1:1 | 1 |
| 4 | Bam Khatoon FC 🇮🇷 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 1:3 | 0 |
East Bengal’s Historic Opening Victory
East Bengal registered their first-ever AFC Women’s Champions League victory with goals from Shilky Devi Hemam (4′), Fazila Ikwaput (32′), and Resty Nanziri (87′) in their Group B opener. The Red and Gold brigade dominated from the opening whistle, with Shilky Hemam striking just four minutes in after blocked attempts fell kindly to her.
Captain Fazila Ikwaput doubled the advantage with clinical finishing following a perfectly-timed through ball from Amnah Nababi. Although Mona Hamoudi pulled one back from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time, Ugandan midfielder Resty Nanziri sealed the victory with a spectacular long-range effort that bent over the goalkeeper in the 87th minute.
The victory marked a watershed moment—the first-ever group stage win by an Indian club in the competition, eclipsing Odisha FC’s efforts from the 2024-25 edition.
For complete AFC Women’s Champions League coverage and Indian football news, visit TechnoSports.
The Wuhan Challenge
Wuhan Jiangda FC represents the ultimate test. The Chinese powerhouses are five-time Women’s Super League winners and reigning continental champions, having won the inaugural AFC Women’s Champions League last season. However, they opened their title defense with a surprising 1-1 draw against Uzbekistan’s PFC Nasaf, leaving them two points behind East Bengal.
What East Bengal Needs to Qualify
East Bengal requires just 1 point from their last 2 matches to advance to the quarter-finals. With their confidence sky-high after the opening victory and Wuhan showing vulnerability in their draw, the Indian champions have a genuine opportunity to secure qualification with a positive result.
Match Details
Date: November 20, 2025
Time: 07:00 UTC (12:30 PM IST)
Venue: Hankou Cultural Sports Centre, Wuhan, China
Live Streaming: FanCode (India)
Tournament Format
After the group stage conclusion, eight teams—the top two from each group and the two best third-placed sides—advance to the knockout rounds. East Bengal’s strong start positions them favorably for qualification, but consistency against elite opposition remains crucial.
Key Players to Watch
For East Bengal:
- Shilky Devi Hemam – Scored the opener and provides attacking thrust
- Fazila Ikwaput (Captain) – Clinical finisher and experienced leader
- Resty Nanziri – Ugandan midfielder capable of match-winning moments
- Elangbam Panthoi Chanu – Goalkeeper who kept Bam Khatoon largely at bay
For Wuhan: The defending champions boast Chinese international talent and depth that won them the inaugural title. Their opening draw suggests they’re still finding rhythm, making this an opportune moment for East Bengal to strike.
Stay updated with live scores, match analysis, and women’s football news at TechnoSports.
East Bengal’s Remaining Fixtures
- November 20: vs Wuhan Jiangda FC (Defending Champions)
- November 23: vs PFC Nasaf (Uzbekistan)
All Group B matches are being hosted in a centralized format in Wuhan from November 17-23, giving East Bengal limited recovery time between crucial encounters.
The Road Ahead
For a team making their continental debut, East Bengal has already exceeded expectations. The 2024-25 Indian Women’s League champions qualified by topping Group E ahead of Kitchee SC and Phnom Penh Crown FC in the preliminary stage. Now, they stand 90 minutes away from potentially securing a historic quarter-final berth.
FAQs
Q: What does East Bengal need to qualify for the AFC Women’s Champions League quarter-finals?
East Bengal needs just 1 point from their remaining 2 matches (against Wuhan Jiangda and PFC Nasaf) to guarantee quarter-final qualification. Even a draw against defending champions Wuhan on November 20 would significantly boost their chances, as the top two teams from each group plus the two best third-placed teams advance to the knockout stage.
Q: Where can I watch East Bengal vs Wuhan Jiangda live in India?
The match will be available for live streaming on the FanCode app and website in India. Kickoff is scheduled for 07:00 UTC (12:30 PM IST) on November 20, 2025, at the Hankou Cultural Sports Centre in Wuhan, China.
