East Bengal made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the AFC Women’s League for the first time

East Bengal Women made history on Saturday, November 7 despite losing 0-2 to North Korea’s 4.25 SC in their last Group B match at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. The defeat did not spoil the celebrations too much as the Indian side secured their place in the quarter-finals as one of the top two third-placed teams in all three groups.

The qualification marks a significant step forward for a team that has steadily established itself as one of the leading forces in Indian women’s football. After winning their maiden Indian Women’s League title in 2024-25, East Bengal continued to strengthen their presence outside the domestic competition, reaching the continental group stage for the second consecutive season.

Their breakthrough was all the more satisfying given how close they came last year. In their debut AFC Women’s League Champions League campaign, East Bengal reached the group stage but missed out on the quarter-finals on goal difference. This time they managed to overcome this final hurdle and put an Indian club on the map of the continental knockout stage for the first time.

A DEFEAT THAT COULDN’T STOP HISTORY

East Bengal’s campaign was built on a crucial 2-1 victory over Vietnam’s World Cup side in Ho Chi Minh City, which ultimately proved decisive. They also suffered a 1-4 loss to South Korea’s Hwacheon KSPO before facing unbeaten 4.25 SC in their final group game.

The North Korean team immediately gained a foothold, taking the lead in the second minute with a Han Jin-hong header. East Bengal goalkeeper Elangbam Panthoi Chanu kept her side in contention with important saves, but Oh Sol-song doubled the lead in the 43rd minute. East Bengal held firm after the break, ensuring the deficit did not increase and keeping their qualification hopes alive.

4.25 SC finished first in Group B with nine points, while Hwacheon KSPO finished second with six. East Bengal progressed with three points to join the top three teams in the quarter-final line-up.

THE NEXT CHAPTER AWAITS

The quarter-final draw will take place at AFC House in Kuala Lumpur on 3 December. East Bengal will not be seeded and will face either defending champions Naegohyang Women’s FC, Group C winners PFC Nasaf or best second-place team Melbourne City FC.

The quarter-finals are scheduled for March 27 and 28, 2027. For East Bengal, the achievement is already a milestone. Now the Moshal Girls have a chance to take Indian women’s club football to a territory it has never reached before.

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