East Bengal FC has long been synonymous with Indian football, its men’s team woven into the country’s sporting identity through decades of fierce rivalries and continental appearances. But on August 31, 2025, the women’s side etched their own name into history.
By qualifying for the group stage of the AFC Women’s Champions League (AWCL), they achieved a landmark not only for the club but for the wider landscape of Indian women’s football. This feat, secured through a composed and disciplined preliminary campaign in Cambodia, validates the Indian Women’s League (IWL) as a genuine pathway to continental competition. It represents the dawn of a new era, where Indian women’s football can aspire to stand shoulder to shoulder with Asia’s best.
East Bengal’s qualification hinged on a nervy 1-1 draw against Hong Kong’s Kitchee SC at the National Sports Complex in Phnom Penh. A draw was all they needed to top Group E, and they achieved it through discipline, grit, and tactical awareness. The Red and Gold women started brightly. In the 9th minute, India international Sangita Basfore struck after a clever assist from Ugandan striker Fazila Ikwaput, putting them in front. That early goal changed the dynamics of the contest. East Bengal no longer needed to chase the game; instead, they switched to a compact defensive setup, forcing Kitchee to break them down.
The pressure mounted in the second half. Kitchee equalized in the 59th minute through Ho Mui Mei, setting up a tense finale. But East Bengal’s backline, marshalled by Nigerian defender Maureen Okpala and goalkeeper Elangbam Panthoi Chanu, absorbed wave after wave of attacks to hold firm until the final whistle. That point, added to their earlier 1-0 victory over Phnom Penh Crown, sealed top spot with four points from two matches. Ikwaput had scored the winner in that opening clash, underlining the impact of the club’s recruitment strategy.
The Foundation: IWL Triumph
East Bengal’s continental success is rooted in their dominant 2024–25 IWL season, where they captured their maiden league title. Under coach Anthony Andrews, the team registered 12 wins, one draw, and a single defeat an emphatic statement of domestic superiority. That campaign provided not only confidence but also the competitive sharpness needed to face unfamiliar opposition. It also validated the IWL itself, showing that strong domestic performance can translate into continental results.
Just as Odisha FC had carried the Indian flag into the AWCL preliminaries a year earlier, East Bengal’s qualification demonstrates that the league is consistently producing clubs capable of competing internationally.
One of the key factors behind East Bengal’s rise has been strategic squad construction. Rather than wholesale changes, the club retained 14 core players from the previous season, preserving chemistry and tactical understanding. This domestic base was reinforced with targeted foreign signings:
- Fazila Ikwaput (Uganda): Two-time IWL Golden Boot winner and marquee forward.
- Amnah Nababi (Uganda): Midfield creativity and control.
- Maureen Okpala (Nigeria) & Abena Opoku (Ghana): Defensive steel and aerial presence.
- Shilky Devi (India): National team midfielder, adding depth and leadership.
The blend paid immediate dividends. Ikwaput scored decisive goals in both preliminary matches, while Basfore’s goal against Kitchee highlighted the value of the Indian core.
Sangita Basfore : The Midfield General : Basfore’s opening strike against Kitchee will be remembered as the goal that carried East Bengal to history. But her influence went beyond scoring. As a deep-lying midfielder, she orchestrated transitions, broke up opposition attacks, and ensured balance between defence and attack.
Fazila Ikwaput : The Matchwinner : The Ugandan striker justified her marquee status with two match-defining contributions—a goal against Phnom Penh Crown and an assist against Kitchee. More than just a poacher, her ability to hold up play and create chances made her indispensable.
Defensive Resilience : In tight continental fixtures, defence can decide campaigns. East Bengal’s backline, anchored by Okpala and supported by goalkeeper Chanu, was immense under pressure. Their discipline in the final half hour against Kitchee preserved the draw and sealed qualification.
Extending the East Bengal Club’s Legacy
For East Bengal, a club steeped in men’s football history, this marks the women’s team’s arrival on the continental map. With the men having featured 18 times in AFC competitions, the women’s side has now carved out its own space, extending the legacy and opening a new chapter in club history. With Odisha FC and now East Bengal qualifying for back-to-back AWCL editions, the IWL has proven itself as a reliable pathway to Asia. This consistency signals to players, sponsors, and administrators that women’s football in India is no longer peripheral it is central to the country’s football narrative.
The significance of media coverage and fan engagement cannot be overstated. As coach Andrews noted, visibility motivates players and attracts sponsors. East Bengal’s success has been widely celebrated, inspiring a new generation of girls to dream of continental football.
The AWCL main draw will run from November 9–23, 2025, with 12 teams divided into three groups of four. East Bengal will discover their group-stage opponents on September 11 in Kuala Lumpur.
The confirmed field already features Asia’s elite:
- Wuhan Jiangda (China, defending champions)
- Melbourne City (Australia)
- Suwon FC Women (South Korea)
- Tokyo Verdy Beleza (Japan)
- Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)
- Bam Khatoon (Iran)
For East Bengal, this will be a steep step up in quality. Facing seasoned champions from Japan, Korea, or Australia will test their tactical discipline and physical endurance. Yet, these matches will also provide invaluable lessons and benchmarks for Indian football’s development. East Bengal’s qualification for the AFC Women’s Champions League group stage is far more than a single triumph—it is a validation of years of groundwork in Indian women’s football. Built on domestic dominance, smart recruitment, and tactical maturity, the achievement signals that Indian clubs can now aspire to more than participation they can compete.
It also charts a path forward for the IWL. With consecutive clubs breaking through at the continental level, the league has proven its worth. The task now is sustaining momentum, ensuring financial backing, and institutional support to turn these breakthroughs into long-term progress.
For East Bengal, the immediate challenge lies ahead in November. But regardless of results, their place in history is assured. For Indian women’s football, this is the dawn of a new era.
