East Bengal FC Make History Again, Qualify for AFC Women’s Champions League 2026-27 Group Stage
East Bengal FC produced another landmark performance for Indian women’s club football, defeating hosts Sabah FA of Malaysia 2-0 to qualify for the AFC Women’s Champions League 2026-27 Group Stage at the Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu on Sunday.
Second-half goals from Olivia Anokye and Soumya Guguloth settled a closely fought contest and ensured that East Bengal finished on top of Group A with maximum points from their three qualifying matches. The victory also created history for the Indian club. East Bengal have now become the first Indian club to qualify for the AFC Women’s Champions League Group Stage in back-to-back seasons.
The reigning Indian Women’s League champions had entered the decisive match with confidence after dominant victories over Rajshahi Stars FC of Bangladesh and Rovers FC of Guam. They defeated Rajshahi Stars 4-0 before producing a remarkable 12-0 win over Rovers. However, Sabah presented a significantly tougher challenge.
With qualification at stake and the Malaysian side playing at home, East Bengal had to remain patient before finding their breakthrough in the second half.
The importance of the contest was evident from the opening minutes. Both teams began cautiously, aware that the result could determine who progressed to the Group Stage. The game remained tense and closely contested before Sabah began creating the more threatening opportunities.
In the 21st minute, Misaki Nakayama attempted a half-volley, but her effort sailed over the crossbar. Sabah came even closer two minutes later. Mai-Lisa Atis delivered a first-time cross from the right towards an unmarked Enzi Broussard. With East Bengal goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu Elangbam the only player to beat, Broussard had an excellent opportunity to give the hosts the lead.
However, she failed to make proper contact and scuffed her attempt. East Bengal survived the scare. The missed opportunity proved important as the Indian champions gradually settled into the contest and began finding greater control.
East Bengal build momentum after half-time.
The second half was more evenly balanced, with East Bengal increasingly finding space to attack. Juliana Barek produced one of the early attacking moments when she worked her way into the penalty area from the right. However, her attempted chip landed on the roof of the net. East Bengal continued to press.
In the 55th minute, Soumya Guguloth broke down the right flank and delivered a cross for Sulanjana Raul. The East Bengal player rose to meet the ball and powered a header towards goal, but Sabah goalkeeper Junaidi produced an important save. The chance marked a shift in momentum. East Bengal were now creating clearer opportunities and pushing Sabah deeper.
Olivia Anokye was the next player to threaten. She used her pace to get away from defender Steffi and looked set to score, only for Junaidi to produce a brave block. But Olivia would not be denied for long.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 67th minute. Sulanjana Raul played a through ball that released Olivia into space. The forward used her pace to beat Siti Nurfaizah and move towards goal. Her first attempt was stopped, but Olivia reacted quickly and knocked the ball past Junaidi on the second attempt to give East Bengal the lead. It was the goal the Moshal Girls had been building towards.
After surviving Sabah’s early pressure and gradually taking control of the second half, East Bengal finally had the advantage they needed. The goal also changed the complexion of the contest. Sabah now had to chase the game, while East Bengal had the opportunity to exploit spaces as the hosts pushed forward.
Soumya seals historic qualification.
East Bengal continued to defend their lead while looking for the second goal that would put the result beyond doubt. That decisive moment arrived in the 87th minute. Substitute Rimpa Haldar delivered a cross into the box, where Soumya arrived at the right time to rifle the ball into the net. The goal made it 2-0 and effectively sealed East Bengal’s place in the AFC Women’s Champions League Group Stage.
For Soumya, it was a reward for an influential second-half performance in which she had already created one major opportunity with her cross for Sulanjana. The final whistle confirmed a perfect qualifying campaign for East Bengal.
Three matches. Three victories. Maximum points.
East Bengal defeated Rajshahi Stars FC 4-0, overwhelmed Rovers FC 12-0 and then delivered a composed 2-0 victory over Sabah FA in the decisive contest.
The qualification carries significance beyond one tournament. East Bengal’s achievement makes them the first Indian club to reach the AFC Women’s Champions League Group Stage in consecutive seasons. The result reflects the club’s growing consistency in continental competition and provides another major opportunity for Indian women’s club football to compete against stronger teams from across Asia.
The final qualifying match also showed a different side to East Bengal. Their victories over Rajshahi Stars and Rovers demonstrated their attacking dominance. Against Sabah, however, they faced a more competitive opponent, survived early pressure and eventually won through patience, defensive resilience and clinical second-half finishing.
That ability to adapt will be important in the Group Stage.
Focus turns to the September draw and the November Group Stage.
East Bengal will now wait to discover their Group Stage opponents. The draw for the AFC Women’s Champions League 2026-27 Group Stage will take place on September 3. The Group Stage itself will be held at centralised locations from November 1 to 7, 2026. For now, however, East Bengal can celebrate another significant achievement.
They entered the qualifying campaign as Indian Women’s League champions and have backed up their domestic success with a perfect run in Group A. The 2-0 win over Sabah was not as spectacular as the 12-0 victory over Rovers, but it may prove to be the more important result. When the pressure was highest, East Bengal delivered.
Olivia Anokye broke the deadlock. Soumya Guguloth sealed the victory.
And with three wins from three matches, the Moshal Girls are heading back to the AFC Women’s Champions League Group Stage.
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