Wuhan Jiangda Outclass East Bengal with Early Brilliance as Wang Shuang Leads the Defending Champions to a 2–0 Win

East Bengal’s hopes of sealing early qualification to the AFC Women’s Champions League quarterfinals took a hit in Wuhan, where defending champions Wuhan Jiangda delivered a sharp, disciplined performance to secure a 2–0 victory.

The match, played on Thursday afternoon, was shaped decisively in the opening minutes as Chinese superstar Wang Shuang struck twice inside the first 15 minutes, leaving the Indian champions with too much ground to recover. The contest began at a blistering pace, with Wuhan asserting control from the opening whistle. Their intent was clear high press, quick combinations, and early penetration down the flanks. It took only seven minutes for the defending champions to convert their pressure into a goal.

A beautifully weighted cross from Song Fei from the left flank found Wang Shuang in space, and the forward, one of Asia’s finest attackers, guided the ball past East Bengal goalkeeper Elangbam Panthoi Chanu with composure and precision. The finish set the tone for what would be a relentless opening spell from the hosts.

East Bengal, nervous and unsettled, struggled to get any rhythm in the first quarter of an hour. Their touches were heavy, passes rushed, and the defensive line found itself stretched repeatedly as Wuhan’s midfield tempo forced errors. The pressure culminated in a second goal in the 15th minute, this time from the penalty spot. Panthoi, attempting to smother a through ball, clipped Wang Shuang inside the box, prompting referee Kim Yu Jeong to point to the spot. Wang made no mistake, sending Panthoi the wrong way to complete her brace and double Jiangda’s lead.

At 2–0 down inside the opening stretch, East Bengal faced a daunting task. But to their credit, the Red & Gold gradually began to steady themselves. Around the half-hour mark, they started stitching together cleaner passes and stepping higher up the pitch. Their improved spell led to their first corner of the match, and the switch to tighter man-marking in midfield helped slow Wuhan’s combinations. By the 41st minute, East Bengal were showing far more composure denying spaces, pushing forward with more confidence, and generating a few promising circle entries. The half-time whistle came with the score at 2–0, but with East Bengal showing enough resilience to believe there was a path back into the contest.

The second half began with East Bengal showing intent. The tempo dropped slightly as both sides settled into a more controlled rhythm, but the visitors pushed forward with more numbers, attempting to break down Wuhan’s well-organised defensive line. Their movements were sharper and their possession phases more structured, yet Wuhan’s backline, marshalled with discipline, denied them any clear openings in the final third.

A defining moment of the second half arrived in the 66th minute, when Wuhan carved out their best chance after the break. A low shot beat Panthoi and seemed destined to cross the line, but an alert East Bengal defender rushed back to clear the ball off the line a goal-saving intervention that momentarily kept hopes alive. That clearance was a testament to East Bengal’s improved defensive structure and fight, even as they chased a comeback under growing pressure.

Despite their sharper second-half approach, East Bengal struggled to produce meaningful shots on target. Wuhan were content to protect their lead, slowing the tempo and maintaining control in midfield. With Wang Shuang’s early brilliance giving them the cushion they needed, the defending champions managed the game intelligently, denying East Bengal the space to play between the lines.

The final whistle confirmed Wuhan Jiangda as 2–0 winners, lifting them to the top of the group with four points from two matches following their opening 1–1 draw against Uzbek side Nasaf. East Bengal, with three points from their first match, now sit second in the group.

For the Indian champions, this defeat will feel like a missed opportunity but not a decisive setback. The early damage cost them dearly, yet their improved performance in the latter stages showed their ability to adapt, recover their shape, and compete against one of Asia’s elite clubs.

East Bengal now face a crucial test in their final group game against Nasaf on November 23, where even a draw will be enough to book their place in the quarterfinals. The Moshal Girls’ fate remains firmly in their hands they must simply avoid the kind of shaky start that allowed Wuhan to take control. For Wuhan Jiangda, the victory reinforces their status as tournament favourites.

For East Bengal, the challenge ahead is clear: build on the resilience of their second-half performance and deliver with composure in a must-not-lose final group fixture.