East Bengal FC Women etched their names into the history books by becoming the first-ever Indian club to secure a win in the main draw of the premier AFC Champions League.
East Bengal FC Women, the reigning champions of the Indian Women’s League (IWL), faced a formidable opponent in Bam Khatoon—a club that had reached the quarter-finals in the previous AWCL season and boasts 11 domestic league titles in Iran. However, the ‘Red and Gold Brigade’ showed no signs of being overwhelmed by the occasion or their opponent’s pedigree. Instead, they delivered a performance defined by tactical maturity, attacking intent, and clinical finishing.
The early goal allowed East Bengal FC Women to settle and dictate the tempo. They doubled the lead in the 32nd minute when the team’s star forward and IWL Golden Boot winner, Fazila Ikwaput, displaying superb control by slotting the ball calmly past Bam Khatoon’s goalkeeper, Raha Yazdani.
However, Bam Khatoon pulled one back just before the interval when Mona Hamoudi converted a penalty and reduced the deficit to 2-1.
As the second half progressed, East Bengal FC Women began to turn the screw again. In the 87th minute, Ugandan midfielder Resty Nanziri launched a ferocious long-range strike into the back of the net. The final scoreline read 3-1 in East Bengal’s favour.
The victory marks the first-ever win for an Indian club , signalling a decisive shift in the perception of Indian Women’s Football on the continental stage.
Furthermore, the win carries immense financial significance. By participating in the group stage, East Bengal was already guaranteed $100,000 as per AFC regulations. The victory against Bam Khatoon secured an additional $20,000 bonus.
As East Bengal FC Women prepares for their next formidable challenge against the defending champions, Wuhan Jiangda, the women in Red and Gold will carry with them not just the weight of a proud club, but the hopes and dreams of an entire nation.
