East Bengal Women face 4.25 SC in their final AFC Women’s Champions League group fixture, with quarter-final qualification hinging on the earlier Group A result and their own performance.
Kolkata, November 7: East Bengal Women head into their final Group C fixture of the AFC Women’s Champions League with their qualification hopes still alive, to create history but their fate is no longer entirely in their own hands. The Moshal Girls will face North Korean side 4.25 SC at 8:00 PM IST on Saturday, November 7, knowing that the result of an earlier group fixture could decide their route to the quarter-finals.
With three points from two matches and a goal difference of -2, East Bengal are still in contention for a place in the last eight. However, before they take the field, Iran’s Bam Khatoon FC and Myanmar’s Ayeyawady FC Women will meet at 6:00 PM IST in the other Group A fixture. Neither side has earned a point so far, with Bam Khatoon holding a goal difference of -8 and Ayeyawady at -9.
Here is how the qualification equation stands for East Bengal:
If Bam Khatoon and Ayeyawady draw: This is the most favourable result for East Bengal. A draw between the two sides would confirm the Moshal Girls’ qualification for the quarter-finals, irrespective of their result against 4.25 SC.
If either Bam Khatoon or Ayeyawady win: East Bengal will then need to focus on their own result against 4.25 SC. A victory would strengthen their qualification chances, while a draw could also keep them in contention if the Group A fixtures ended with very less margin win. A defeat would make things considerably more difficult, with their goal difference becoming crucial.
East Bengal currently have a goal difference of -2, compared to -8 for Bam Khatoon and -9 for Ayeyawady. Therefore, avoiding a heavy defeat will be important if the qualification battle goes down to goal difference.
For head coach Anthony Andrews, reaching the quarter-finals would mean more than just progressing to the next round. It would be a historic achievement for an Indian side, something the team has been working towards since last season.
“Obviously, this will be a history for an Indian side. This is something which is in our bucket list. We want to go and experience the top eight. We have been working hard from last season to this season, and this season is the time when we want to go,” Anthony said during the final preparation.
The coach is also aware of the challenge awaiting his side. After facing strong opposition from South Korea, East Bengal now have another difficult test against 4.25 SC. Anthony expects a faster tempo and believes his players must be ready for the intensity of the contest.
“We know that we are going to face a very good opponent. The tempo will be much faster compared to what we have played in the first few games. We are working hard on this, and I hope we will be able to implement it,” he said.
The previous defeat has not been easy for the team to accept. East Bengal started that match positively and managed to score to lead , but missed opportunities and the opposition’s clinical finishing eventually cost them. Andrews admitted that both he and his players were hurt by the result.
“It is very difficult for a coach, a team or a player who has played to soak that or even swallow that defeat. We did miss a couple of chances which haunted us at the end. They got the chances and they finished. In bigger games, that is what happens. If you don’t take your chances, it becomes painful,” he reflected.
With the Group A fixture taking place before their match, East Bengal will have a clearer picture of what they need when they face 4.25 SC. Anthony acknowledged that the earlier result would give his team an idea of the situation, but remains hopeful of making it through.
The qualification equation may favour East Bengal or make their task more difficult before they even step onto the pitch. But one thing remains clear: the Moshal Girls have 90 minutes left to fight for a place among Asia’s top eight. Their historic ambition is still within reach, although they will need the right result elsewhere and a strong performance of their own to make it happen.
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