Fazila Ikwaput scored twice in the first half to guide Anthony Andrews’ East Bengal Women to a 2-1 victory over Ho Chi Minh City WFC in their AFC Women’s Champions League opener.
Kolkata, November 1: East Bengal Women made a winning start to their AFC Women’s Champions League campaign at Kishore Bharati Krirangan on Sunday evening, with Fazila Ikwaput leading the attack against Ho Chi Minh City WFC. The Ugandan forward struck twice in the first half, while the Vietnamese side managed a second-half response to set up a tense finish at the venue, but end up giving up against Anthony Andrews side.
From the opening whistle, the Vietnamese side began posing a threat. Within two minutes, Hong Nhung’s shot struck the crossbar. However, in the same minute, East Bengal Women launched a counterattack as Fazila Ikwaput sent a cross into the box. Resty Nanziri, from close range missed the ball by inches, giving early hints to their opponets what is about to come next.
And the Moshal Girls did not have to wait long for the breakthrough. In the 18th minute, they earned a corner, following which they were awarded a penalty after Fazila’s attempt Chesna Reilly’s tried to pose with her hand. Following an FVS review, the referee pointed to the spot. In the mark of 21st minute, Fazila stepped up and calmly converted the penalty to put the Moshal Girls ahead.
Seven minutes later, another scoring opportunity opened up for East Bengal. In the 28th minute, Olivia Anokye attempted a long-range shot that struck the crossbar. The rebound fell to Sulanjana, whose header was directed towards Fazila, but before the forward could make a proper attempt, goalkeeper Thanh intervened and collected the ball.
The second goal arrived in the 34th minute. A defensive error from Ho Chi Minh City WFC proved costly as Fazila capitalised on the lapse, finding space inside the box before sending the ball into the net with a low finish to double East Bengal’s advantage.
With a comfortable 2–0 lead, the Moshal Girls headed into the second half looking to maintain their pressure. However, Ho Chi Minh City WFC reduced the deficit through a counterattacking opportunity. Abena fouled Dau Anh on the left flank while attempting to stop her run, giving the Vietnamese side a free-kick. Tran Thi Thu Xuan delivered the ball into the box, and Dau Anh made no mistake in finding the back of the net.
Despite Ho Chi Minh City’s substitutions and changes in approach, East Bengal Women continued to put pressure on their opponents. However, their lacks to convert the chances they created became increasingly evident as the game progressed.
In the 72nd minute, Fazila came close to completing her hat-trick but missed a golden opportunity. Olivia Anokye made a run down the right flank and delivered a cross into the box, which Fazila met with a header. However, goalkeeper Thanh deny her.
Just two minutes later, East Bengal Women came close to extending their lead again. Rimpa Haldar made a run down the left flank before swiftly playing the ball to Olivia Anokye, who found herself in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper. Instead of taking the shot herself, Olivia squared the ball towards Fazila, but Thanh remained alert and denied the Ugandan forward once again.
East Bengal Women have made a winning start to their AFC Women’s Champions League campaign, securing all three points with a 2–1 victory over Ho Chi Minh City WFC. Fazila’s first-half brace proved decisive as the Moshal Girls held on to their advantage despite the Vietnamese side’s second-half fightback. While there were opportunities to extend the margin, East Bengal will take confidence from a result that gives their continental campaign an encouraging start.
As the only Indian club to feature in the AFC Women’s Champions League for a second consecutive season, East Bengal Women once again made their presence felt on the continental stage. The 2–1 result against Ho Chi Minh City WFC added another victory to their growing record in the competition, as the Moshal Girls continued to build on their previous campaign. For now they are turning their focus on to the next game against Hwcheon WSC on 4th.
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