On a humid Monday evening in Phnom Penh, history was made. East Bengal FC’s women’s team, fresh off their Indian Women’s League (IWL) title, announced themselves on Asia’s biggest stage with a gritty 1–0 win against Phnom Penh Crown FC in the AFC Women’s Champions League 2025–26 Preliminary Stage Group E.
The victory, secured by a second-half strike from Ugandan forward Fazila Ikwaput, not only gave East Bengal the perfect start but also etched their name into continental history books. The Red and Gold Brigade became the first Indian club across both men’s and women’s football to win their debut matches in AFC continental competitions. Playing at the National Sports Complex in Cambodia, East Bengal entered the tie knowing the importance of starting strong in the three-team preliminary group, where only the winner advances to the main tournament.
Coach Anthony Andrews set his side up with an attacking intent, and the Red and Gold brigade created the better chances early on. In the 42nd minute, Fazila thought she had scored the club’s first-ever goal in the competition when she tapped in from close range, but the assistant referee’s flag went up for offside. The disallowed goal only added to the tension. The home side, backed by a lively Phnom Penh crowd, grew into the game with a few half-chances of their own. But with both teams failing to find the net, the first half ended goalless.
East Bengal Raise the Tempo
The second half saw East Bengal increase their urgency. Just two minutes after the restart, Fazila nearly beat Phnom Penh goalkeeper Chea Fariya, who did well to parry her strike away. Moments later, Sulanjana Raul squandered a golden opportunity inside the box, firing wide. The Red and Gold Brigade pressed forward relentlessly. Fazila, constantly threatening with her pace and movement, forced another save in the 52nd minute. Midfielder Sangita Basfore then tried her luck from distance but dragged her shot off target.
The breakthrough finally came in the 70th minute. Ugandan midfielder Resty Nanziri, who was excellent throughout the night, delivered a precise cross into the box. Fazila, showing composure and sharp positioning, calmly slotted the ball past Chea to send the small but passionate contingent of Indian supporters into raptures.
History Made
The goal was more than just a winner; it was a piece of history. Fazila became East Bengal Women’s first ever goal scorer in the AFC Women’s Champions League, joining legendary striker Biswajit Bhattacharya, who had scored the men’s team’s first continental goal back in 1985 against Nepal’s New Road Team in the Asian Club Championship preliminaries.
- 2 August 1985 (Men’s ACC Prelims): East Bengal 7–0 New Road (Bhattacharya scores first AFC goal for the men’s side)
- 25 August 2025 (Women’s AWCL Prelims): Phnom Penh 0–1 East Bengal (Fazila scores first AFC goal for the women’s side)
Four decades apart, two strikers one Indian, one Ugandan both writing the club into Asian football history.
Phnom Penh Crown, desperate to rescue something, pushed forward in the final quarter of the match. But East Bengal’s defence, marshalled well by their backline and supported by the hardworking midfield, stood strong. As tempers flared in stoppage time, Phnom Penh’s goalkeeper Chea was shown a straight red card for a rash challenge on Fazila in the fifth added minute, ending the Cambodian side’s hopes of an equalizer. The final whistle soon followed, confirming East Bengal’s momentous victory.
Adding to the occasion was the presence of a vocal Indian community in the stands. Many members of the Indian diaspora in Cambodia, along with officials from the Embassy of India in Phnom Penh, turned up to back the Red and Gold women. Their chants and support created a mini-home atmosphere, a gesture that the club and players acknowledged after the match. This victory is only the first step in East Bengal’s continental journey. Their next match against Hong Kong’s Kitchee SC on August 31 will effectively decide who advances to the group stage.
A win will guarantee East Bengal’s passage, while a draw will keep calculations open depending on goal difference. Given the stakes, Andrews is expected to demand sharper finishing from his players. Against Phnom Penh, East Bengal created enough chances to win by a larger margin, but wastefulness in front of goal nearly cost them. Fazila’s clinical strike eventually made the difference, but Kitchee SC are likely to offer an even sterner test.
A Statement for Indian Women’s Football
Beyond the immediate result, this victory carries broader significance. For years, Indian women’s football has fought for recognition and opportunities at the continental stage. East Bengal’s IWL triumph earlier this year earned them the ticket to Asia’s top club competition. Now, their winning debut proves that Indian clubs can compete beyond domestic borders. It also reflects the rising standards in the IWL, where players like Fazila and Resty, alongside Indian talents such as Sangita Basfore and Sulanjana Raul, are sharpening their skills against quality opposition.
For East Bengal as a club, this win adds another glorious chapter to its century-long history. Already a giant in Indian football folklore, the Red and Gold Brigade now has the distinction of being the only Indian club to win debut AFC matches in both men’s and women’s competitions.
The 1–0 victory over Phnom Penh Crown FC may not go down as a scoreline of dominance, but its significance cannot be overstated. It represents resilience, history, and the breaking of new ground for both East Bengal and Indian women’s football. As the players left the pitch in Phnom Penh, celebrating with Indian supporters in the stands, one thing was clear: this was more than just a win. It was a statement of intent, a sign that the Moshal Girls of East Bengal are ready to make their mark on Asia.
With one foot in the group stage and the legacy of history behind them, the Red and Gold Brigade march on. The next challenge awaits in Hong Kong, but for now, Fazila Ikwaput’s goal ensures that August 25, 2025 will forever be remembered in East Bengal’s story.
