East Bengal lose 4-1 but remain in Champions League contention

East Bengal lost 4-1 to South Korea's Hwacheon KSPO in Kolkata on Wednesday but remain in contention for the AFC Women's Champions League quarter-finals. Their second Group B fixture at Kishore Bharati Krirangan was level at the interval before the visitors scored three times after the break.

The result left both clubs on three points. East Bengal, who had beaten Ho Chi Minh City WFC in their opening match, occupy third place with a goal difference of minus two.

They will finish their group campaign against DPR Korea's 4.25 SC on Saturday. Their opponents have already claimed one of the group's two automatic qualification places.

Qualification routes remain open

A draw in that final fixture would secure East Bengal a quarter-final place. A loss could still allow them to advance among the two best third-placed sides across the groups.

There is also a route to qualification before they take the field. If Saturday's Group A meeting between Iran's Bam Khatoon FC and Myanmar's Ayeyawady FC finishes level, East Bengal will progress before their own match begins.

Against Hwacheon, Fazila Ikwaput missed an early opportunity after being released by captain Shilky Devi Hemam. She then put the hosts ahead in the 17th minute, reaching Astam Oraon's clearance and finishing into the bottom corner.

Lee Su-bin brought Hwacheon level after her initial indirect free-kick hit the defensive wall. Her next attempt deflected off Resty Nanziri and went beyond goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu Elangbam.

Wie Jae-eun gave the visitors the lead in the 53rd minute following a Football Video Support request after Hitomi Tanaka tripped Choi Jeong-min. Mun Eun-ju scored three minutes later from Jeong-min's cross, before Wie added her second in the 76th minute to complete the visitors' victory.

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