East Bengal Target Historic AFC Women's Champions League Quarter-Final Berth, Begin Campaign Against Ho Chi Minh City

East Bengal will aim to create history in Indian women's club football when they open their AFC Women's Champions League 2026-27 Group B campaign against Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City WFC at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Sunday. The Moshal Girls are targeting a place in the quarter-finals for the first time, having fallen short of the knockout stages in their previous appearance.

The occasion is particularly significant as India hosts the AFC Women's Champions League Group Stage for the first time. East Bengal will play all three of their group matches in Kolkata, with South Korea's Hwacheon KSPO WFC (November 4) and North Korea's 4.25 SC (November 7) awaiting them in the remaining fixtures.

Coached by Anthony Andrews, East Bengal secured their second successive Group Stage appearance after dominating Group A of the Preliminary Stage in Malaysia in August. They defeated Rajshahi Stars 4-0, Rovers FC 12-0 and hosts Sabah FA 2-0 to qualify with a perfect record.

The Kolkata-based club also head into the continental competition on the back of an impressive eight-match unbeaten international run, during which they have scored 34 goals without conceding. Their achievements include winning the inaugural SAFF Women's Club Championship in Kathmandu last year.

Andrews acknowledged the quality of the opposition but insisted that his players were ready for the challenge.

"It's a huge opportunity for us to play the AFC Women's Champions League on home soil. We'll face some of the best teams in Asia, but we have prepared well and intensely for this moment," he said on the eve of the match.

"The girls are ready to prove their mettle at this stage. We need to level up if we have to compete with these Asian powerhouses to book a berth in the knockouts," he added.

The East Bengal coach also revealed that his team had regularly tested themselves against boys' youth teams to prepare for the physical demands and intensity of continental football.

"We've been playing friendlies against U-15 and U-17 boys regularly to push our limits and adapt to the pace and intensity of top-tier continental games," Andrews said.

East Bengal enjoyed a remarkable 2025-26 season, becoming the first Indian club to complete a treble in women's football by winning the SAFF Women's Club Championship, Indian Women's League and Calcutta Women's Football League. They registered 30 victories in 35 matches, suffering only three defeats.

The club have retained much of their successful core while making several additions. Indian internationals Rimpa Haldar and Thoibisana Chanu have joined alongside Japanese footballer Hitomi Tanaka and Ghanaian trio Olivia Anokye, Adama Alhassan and Abigail Antwi. Olivia was particularly impressive during the preliminary campaign, finishing as East Bengal's leading scorer with five goals.

The tournament features 12 clubs, with eight progressing to the quarter-finals. The three group winners, three runners-up and two best third-placed teams will advance.