East Bengal Women qualify for the AFC Women’s Champions League quarter-finals despite a 2-0 defeat to 4.25 SC, becoming the first Indian club to reach the competition’s knockout
Kolkata, November 7: East Bengal Women may have suffered a 2-0 defeat against North Korean side 4.25 SC, but the result could not stop the Moshal Girls from creating history in Asian women’s club football. Despite going down in their must-win final group-stage clash, the Indian side held on to their qualification hopes and became the first Indian club and women’s team to reach the knockout stage of the AFC Women’s Champions League, progressing as the best third-placed team from Group C.
In the must-win clash, the Moshal Girls started by conceding a goal. Within just two minutes, 4.25 SC took a 1-0 lead. Pak Ok I sent in a cross from the right towards the far post, which Jin Hong headed into the net.
The match rolled on in East Bengal Women’s half, and in the 28th minute, Pom Hui attempted a header, but this time Panthoi caught the threat. In the next minute, from a throw-in, Ryong Jong attempted a long shot. For a moment, it seemed the Moshal Girls would concede a second goal, but Panthoi saved it at the first attempt. Before the ball could slip away, she collected it safely on the goal line.
However, just before the half-time break, in the 45th minute, Sol Song changed the score to 2-0 for 4.25 SC with a second attempt from a free-kick.
The match resumed with the same rhythm, as the North Korean side maintained their physical and tactical dominance. The game shifted towards East Bengal Women’s box as they were alert to defend against the North Korean side’s attacks.
But in the 73rd minute, a moment arrived when the Moshal Girls had their golden opportunity. With a quick build-up, Olivia Anyoke sent the ball to the right flank for Sarita Yumnam, who delivered it into the box. Olivia Anyoke reached the ball to attempt a shot, but Pok Young covered her, stopping the move there. An initial penalty appeal followed, but after checking the FVS (Football Video Support), it was determined that the ball had dropped without any intentional contact.
After that moment, a hunger arose in the Moshal Girls, but 4.25 SC did not stop their game. In the 85th minute, Susmita Lepcha stopped an attack on the right, just outside the box, which resulted in a free-kick. Ryong Jong delivered it, but Panthoi brilliantly saved the attempt, and Shilky joined in to clear the ball away.
However, the match ended in a 2-0 defeat for the Moshal Girls after ninety minutes. Despite the loss, East Bengal Women secured qualification for the quarter-finals, creating history as the first Indian club and women’s team to reach the knockout stage of the AFC Women’s Champions League.
As Ayeyawady WFC defeated Bam Khatoon 3-0 to collect three points, the result, along with the goal difference across the group-stage fixtures, saw East Bengal Women qualify for the quarter-finals as the best third-placed team from Group C.
AFC Womens Champions League – East Bengal FC vs 4.25 SC highlights
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