The 2025 Vatsalya SAFF Women’s Club Championship is more than just another addition to the regional football calendar it is a foundational shift in South Asian women’s football.
Hosted in Kathmandu from December 5 to 20, the inaugural tournament marks the first time a South Asian regional body has launched an international women’s club competition, placing SAFF ahead of all other Asian sub-confederations. For the participating clubs and especially for East Bengal FC, India’s representative this is a rare moment where footballing history, competitive ambition, and continental strategy intersect.
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SAFF’s decision to create a women’s club championship stems from a clear strategic need. South Asian clubs have long struggled in early rounds of AFC competitions, often undone by limited exposure to high-quality, structured opposition. By establishing this regional competition, SAFF aims to accelerate competitive development, strengthen the region’s football coefficient, and give its domestic champions the platform they need to improve ahead of continental participation.
The tournament features five teams East Bengal FC (India), APF Club (Nepal), Nasrin Sports Academy (Bangladesh), Transport United Ladies (Bhutan), and Karachi City FC (Pakistan) competing in a single round-robin league before the top two advance to the grand final on December 20.
East Bengal: The Region’s Flag-Bearer and the Team to Beat
On paper and pedigree, East Bengal FC enter as overwhelming favourites. India leads the SAFF region with 30.737 AFC club points, nearly 11 more than second-placed Nepal, and a significant gap over Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Pakistan. The competitive hierarchy is clear: East Bengal stand at the top, with Nepal and Bangladesh forming a tight second tier, and the other two teams expected to struggle for points.
But East Bengal’s advantage extends far beyond historical coefficients. They are also the only club entering the SAFF Championship fresh off a continental campaign, having recently competed in the 2025 AFC Women’s Champions League. Their group-stage journey, which included a landmark 3–1 victory over Iran’s Bam Khatoon FC, exposed them to match tempo, tactical structures, and physical intensity far superior to anything they will encounter in Kathmandu.
This “competitive immunity,” as performance experts call it, is East Bengal’s greatest asset. The players have recently defended against the pace of Chinese champions Wuhan Jiangda and the structured systems of PFC Nasaf. Against SAFF opposition, that experience is invaluable.
The only drawback? Fatigue. Their AFC campaign ended in late November, leaving a narrow window for recovery before the SAFF opener.
A Squad Built for Depth, Control, and Big Matches
East Bengal bring a squad constructed for high-stakes football. Defensive icons Ashalata Devi and Sweety Devi provide leadership, organisational clarity, and the experience needed to navigate tournament-style pressure. In midfield, Shilky Devi Hemam and Sandhiya Ranganathan offer technical quality, progression, and tempo control.
In attack, the presence of Ugandan superstar Fazila Ikwaput, the IWL’s 2024–25 Golden Boot winner, gives East Bengal the firepower to break deep blocks a common tactical approach for lower-ranked SAFF sides.
With fourteen core players retained from their IWL-winning squad, East Bengal have consistency, chemistry, and a level of professionalization unmatched by their regional rivals.
The League Phase: Four Matches That Decide Everything
East Bengal’s four-match league campaign defines their path to the final.
Dec 8 vs Transport United (Bhutan)
The opening fixture is strategically crucial for goal differential. Bhutanese clubs traditionally defend deep, compact, and conservative. A big win ideally three goals or more will give East Bengal the breathing room needed for later tiebreakers.
Dec 11 vs Karachi City (Pakistan)
Pakistan’s women’s football system has been unstable, making Karachi City a tactical unknown. East Bengal must maintain professional focus and avoid complacency. Rotating the squad here will be key to preserving legs for the tougher matches.
Dec 14 vs Nasrin Sports Academy (Bangladesh)
The marquee league fixture effectively the semifinal before the semifinal. Nasrin’s squad is built around the Bangladesh national team core, featuring regional legends Sabina Khatun and Krishna Rani Sarkar. With 67 goals scored and only 4 conceded in their domestic title run, Nasrin offer the most credible challenge to East Bengal. Controlling transitions and denying supply to Sabina will define the match.
Dec 17 vs APF Club (Nepal)
The most dangerous fixture due to environment, not personnel. APF, six-time national champions, will be roared on by a home crowd at Dasharath Rangasala. Their top scorer Rashmi Ghising leads an aggressive, high-scoring frontline. For a potentially fatigued East Bengal, navigating APF’s high press in front of a partisan crowd will demand elite composure.
If East Bengal manage workload, rotate smartly, and sustain tactical discipline, they are positioned to top the league phase. The bigger battle will be between APF and Nasrin for the second final spot — a tight contest balancing home advantage against technical quality.
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The 2025 SAFF Women’s Club Championship represents the beginning of a new competitive ecosystem for South Asia. For East Bengal, it is an opportunity to validate India’s dominance, strengthen ties with regional rivals, and establish themselves as pioneers of women’s club football in the subcontinent.
And for SAFF, it is a chance to build a legacy one that could reshape the region’s competitive trajectory for years to come.
