Kolkata, August 17: East Bengal Women secured their first victory in the opening match of the AFC Women’s Champions League qualifiers against neighbouring club Rajshahi Starts FC. With a dominant 4–0 scoreline and a clean sheet, Anthony Andrews’ girls secured three points in their Group A opener at Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia on Monday.

Within the 11th minute, the breakthrough arrived as East Bengal Women earned a penalty, and from the spot, Olivia Anokye scored her debut goal for her new club. Within two minutes, Sulanjana earned a free-kick on the left side of the box. From the promising position, Shikly Devi sent a cross into the box, though nothing effective came from it.

In the 26th minute, receiving a through ball down the right flank, Astham Oraon made a run and placed the ball into the net, giving East Bengal FC a 2–0 lead. Before half-time, in the 38th minute, Olivia Anokye completed her brace. Rimpa Halder, from the right side of the box, sent a high ball to the far post, which Sulanjana headed down, and Olivia Anokye put it into the net. With a comfortable 3–0 lead, the Moshal Girls went into the break.

In the second half, in the 72nd minute, East Bengal Women scored their fourth and final goal of the match. With a quick attack, Soumya moved forward with the ball and placed it into the empty net as the goalkeeper was out of position.

The Bangladeshi side did not pose much of a threat to East Bengal Women, creating only a few chances that were handled easily by the defence. In the 82nd minute, they earned a free-kick from a promising position on the left side of the box. Samsunnahar took it, but nothing came from the effort.

A clean sheet, four goals, and not a single card shown to either side, the Moshal Girls could hardly have asked for a better start. East Bengal Women opened their AFC Women’s Champions League qualifying campaign with a dominant 4–0 victory.

Abena Opoku joined the squad directly in Malaysia from national duty, while Resty Nanziri and Fazila Ikwaput remain uncertain over their availability for the qualifiers. New signings Adama Alhassan, Olivia Anokye and Abigail Antwi all made their debuts, with Anokye making an immediate impact by scoring a brace. Anju Chanu also made her debut for the club. The Moshal Girls will now turn their attention to their next group-stage clash against Rovers FC on August 20.