East Bengal women beat Ho Chi Minh City 2-1 in Kolkata

East Bengal women defeated Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City Women's FC 2-1 in Kolkata on Sunday, November 1, opening their AFC Women's Champions League Group B campaign with a victory. Fazila Ikwaput scored both goals for the hosts at Kishore Bharati Krirangan.

The result made East Bengal the first Indian club to win more than once in the tournament's group stage. They had beaten Iran's Bam Khatoon FC 3-1 during the previous edition.

Ikwaput's first-half double proves decisive

Both teams threatened early, with Ngo Thi Hong Nhung hitting the crossbar for the visitors and Resty Naziri unable to finish a close-range opportunity for East Bengal. The breakthrough arrived in the 20th minute after Football Video Support identified a handball involving Rielly Chesna.

Ikwaput converted the penalty that followed. Olivia Anokye then struck the crossbar with an attempt from distance before the hosts added their second goal in the 34th minute.

That move began with a forceful header from Tanaka Hitomi. Ikwaput resisted Chesna's challenge and finished past advancing goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh to complete her double before half-time.

Ho Chi Minh City reduced the deficit on the hour. A free-kick from Tran Thi Thu Xuan caused uncertainty in the home penalty area, and substitute Dau Nguyen Quynh Anh headed in.

East Bengal women protected their lead as the visitors sought an equaliser. They also threatened to score again: in the 74th minute, Anokye supplied Ikwaput, but Cu Thi Huynh Nhu blocked the close-range chance with a sliding intervention.

Coach Anthony Andrews had selected six foreign players in his starting side. The victory put his team on course in its bid to reach the last eight.

East Bengal next face South Korea's Hwacheon KSPO WFC on Wednesday. Ho Chi Minh City will meet DPR Korea's 4.25 SC, who defeated Hwacheon KSPO 2-1 in the group's other match.

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