Kolkata, August 13: After completing the final training session, East Bengal FC Women are ready to leave for Malaysia tomorrow for their second consecutive AFC campaign. After putting up a strong fight on Asia’s women’s premier stage last season, the Moshal Girls are ready to step onto the continental stage once again, with just four days remaining before the qualifiers begin.
The defending champions of India are placed in Group A of the AFC Women’s Champions League qualifiers, which will be hosted in Malaysia, alongside neighbouring club Rajshahi Starts FC, Rovers FC Women from Guam, and Sabah FC from the host country.
About the Preparation:
From 9 July, the women’s team started training under head coach Anthony Andrews, though the training stopped after two weeks. Four days ago, they resumed their training. Retaining impactful players like Fazila Ikwaput and Resty Nanziri, who are troubling with visa issues and will probably miss the qualifiers. Key defender Abena Opoku is with the Ghana national team and will join the squad directly in Malaysia.
At this moment, three new signings have been made: defender Adama Alhassan, striker Abigail Antwi, and midfielder Olivia Anokye. All three Ghanaian players have joined the club. Meanwhile, Anju Chanu, goalkeeper Khambi Chanu, Thoibisana, and Rimpa Haldar have joined the team.
The coaching setup has also focused on local talent to prepare new stars. Goalkeepers Pratima and Ashta, along with one of India’s current best youth talents, Pritika Barman, who has now been released for national team duty, have been included in the team. Rest the team is building up with the familiar faces from the champions side.
Due to ground unavailability and what the Red and Gold team has been going through their internal issues, the team has suffered from a short training period before heading to the continent. Though with the short time of practice, the SAFF Club Championship champions are getting ready to give their best.
Homework for the opponent:
On the opponents’ analysis, Anthony Andrews said the team has been doing their homework and preparing for the challenges they are going to face in Malaysia. He pointed out that Bangladesh are one of the contenders who can chase for the top spot, having recently finished their league with all wins and just one draw.
He also highlighted Sabah FC, who will host the group and have made six good signings this season along with their local talents. Anthony said the way Sabah plays is something East Bengal needs to solve, but they are keeping that game as the last one as they will get the opportunity to watch their first two matches before facing them.
For Guam, Anthony admitted that there is limited information available on social media and about their league. However, East Bengal will have two games to watch, which will help them understand the opponents better. He added that the coaching staff has been working behind the scenes, checking whatever information is available and preparing the team accordingly.
“We are pretty much prepared on what challenges we are going to face,” Anthony said, with the focus now on executing their plans on the given day.
Anthony stated on the team’s preparations, the difficulties they have faced with the squad, and how the new signings are gradually adapting to his system. He also explains the importance of building understanding within the group in a short period and taking the qualifiers game by game, rather than looking too far ahead.
Last season marked a historic beginning for East Bengal FC Women on the continental stage, as they became the first Indian club to reach the AFC Women’s Champions League group stage. Finishing third in Group B with three points from three matches, the Moshal Girls showed they could compete at Asia’s highest level, despite falling short closely, of a place in the knockout stage.
Now, with their second consecutive AFC campaign ahead, East Bengal Women’s return with a new challenge, a reshaped squad and several new faces. After the experience of last season, the Red & Gold brigade will look to take another step forward in Malaysia and once again test themselves against the best in Asia.
East Bengal FC Women — AFC Women’s Champions League 2026–27 Preliminary Stage fixtures:
Group A — Malaysia
East Bengal FC Women vs Rajshahi Stars FC Women (Bangladesh)
17 August 2026 — 6:30 AM IST
Rovers FC Women (Guam) vs East Bengal FC Women
20 August 2026 — 6:30 AM IST
East Bengal FC Women vs Sabah FA Women (Malaysia)
23 August 2026 — 10:30 AM IST
East Bengal FC Women’s Coach Anthony Andrews before going to Malaysia
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