East Bengal continued their commanding run at the SAFF Women’s Club Championship 2025, climbing to the top of the standings with a composed and convincing 2–0 victory over Pakistan’s Karachi City FC at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu.
With two wins in two matches, the Red and Gold brigade now stand just one victory away from sealing their place in the tournament final. For Anthony Andrews’ in-form side, Thursday’s performance was not merely about collecting three points it was about asserting their superiority in intensity, structure and execution.
The match began at a frenetic pace, with East Bengal immediately imposing themselves through their trademark high press. The intent was evident within seconds, as the Moshal Girls swarmed Karachi’s backline, forcing hurried clearances and rushed passes. That early pressure yielded rewards almost instantly. In the 5th minute, a beautifully threaded pass from Fazila Ikwaput found Sulanjana Raul, who unleashed a crisp strike from just outside the box to make it 1–0. It was a clean finish from a player who has grown into one of the competition’s most influential forwards.
Yet, curiously, Karachi City created the match’s first clear opportunity. In the 3rd minute, star striker Maysa Jbarah rose highest to meet a looping cross, her header drifting agonizingly wide of the far post. It was a warning that Karachi would not be mere spectators, but as the game progressed, East Bengal’s structure snuffed out any hope of a sustained challenge.
The Indian side’s defensive pairing of Abena Opoku and Sushmita Lepcha ensured Jbarah a scoring force in West Asian football remained almost entirely anonymous thereafter. Every forward thrust from Karachi met with timely interceptions, strong aerial duels and increasingly frustrated reactions from the Pakistani frontline.
At the other end, Sulanjana was relentless. Operating from the left flank, she constantly attacked space, beat markers, and drew Karachi’s defensive shape dangerously narrow. It came as no surprise that she earned the Player of the Match award. Her movement stretched the game and opened lanes for Resty, Anahat, and Soumya to exploit, even though East Bengal could have added more to the scoreline had they been sharper in the final third.
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By halftime, East Bengal held not just the lead, but total control. Their midfield, anchored by a tireless Shilky Devi Hemam, dictated tempo and transitions with maturity well beyond her years. Shilky’s partnership with Sathi Debnath, who continues to shine in her evolving midfield role, gave East Bengal a fluidity Karachi simply could not match.
Within minutes of the restart, the Indian side tightened their grip on the contest. A misjudgment from Karachi defender Samia Ouni in the 49th minute offered Resty Nanziri a golden opportunity, and the Ugandan international made no mistake. Her composed finish doubled East Bengal’s lead and effectively ended the match as a contest. Karachi goalkeeper Zeeyana Jivraj prevented the scoreline from swelling even further with sharp saves, particularly from Soumya Guguloth, who had an inconsistent outing but still tested the Pakistani custodian on multiple occasions.
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As East Bengal continued to assert dominance, Karachi struggled to string together meaningful possession. Their midfield was repeatedly overpowered, and their transitions broke down before they could advance into dangerous areas. Adeel Mirza Rizki, Karachi’s UEFA A-licensed head coach, could do little as his side were overrun by a sharper, more cohesive East Bengal outfit. The tactical contrast was stark: while Karachi often chased shadows, East Bengal showcased clear automatisms, pressing triggers, and positional clarity the hallmarks of a side peaking at the right time.
The match ended 2–0, reflecting both the quality and maturity of a team that has looked the most complete squad in the competition so far. Importantly, this victory followed their emphatic 4–0 win over Bhutan’s Transport United in their opening match on December 9, making them the only team with a perfect record heading into the final round of group fixtures.
This edition of the SAFF Women’s Club Championship features one club each from the region’s top footballing nations India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Pakistan. In such a compact tournament, momentum is everything, and East Bengal currently possess plenty of it.
Their next challenge comes on December 14, when they face Nasrin Sporting Club of Bangladesh arguably their toughest opponent in the group. A win would seal East Bengal’s passage to the final, but more importantly, it will test how well their attacking fluency and defensive compactness hold up against a technically strong side.
For now, though, East Bengal’s message is clear: they are here not just to compete, but to set the standard. And with two clinical wins in Kathmandu, the Red and Gold brigade have placed one foot firmly on the road to the SAFF Women’s Club Championship final.
