East Bengal makes history with opening win over Ho Chi Minh City in AFC Women’s Champions League
East Bengal FC secured a 2-1 victory against Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC on Sunday in Kolkata, making the club the first Indian side to register multiple group-stage wins in the AFC Women’s Champions League. Ugandan striker Fazila Ikwaput netted twice to propel the Kolkata side.
Fazila Ikwaput scores twice to break the deadlock
Both sides traded early scoring chances in an evenly matched opening spell. Ho Chi Minh City came close when Ngo Thi Hong Nhung hammered a volley against the crossbar, while Resty Naziri missed from close range at the opposite end. The breakthrough arrived in the 20th minute when Football Video Support flagged a handball by Rielly Chesna as she tried to thwart Ikwaput’s run. Ikwaput buried the ensuing penalty to put East Bengal ahead. Olivia Anokye nearly doubled the advantage eight minutes later, but her long-range shot also rattled the crossbar.
🇵🇰 Kayla Siddiqi's AFC Women's Champions League fixtures with Ho Chi Minh City Women's FC:🇮🇳 November 1: East Bengal🇰🇵 November 4: April 25🇰🇷 November 7: Hwacheon KSPOAll three matches will be played in Kolkata India. 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/g5Pk31hOo8
East Bengal extended their lead in the 34th minute. Tanaka Hitomi delivered a powerful header that Ikwaput capitalized on, holding off Chesna before slotting past advancing goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh to complete her brace.
Ho Chi Minh City fights back as East Bengal defense holds firm
Ho Chi Minh City altered the momentum after the break. A 60th-minute free-kick from Tran Thi Thu Xuan triggered a scramble inside the East Bengal penalty box, letting substitute Dau Nguyen Quynh Anh dive in to head the ball home. The Vietnamese club kept pressing for an equalizer, but the East Bengal backline stood resolute. Anokye set up Ikwaput for a potential tap-in in the 74th minute, but Cu Thi Huynh Nhu thwarted the chance with a sliding block. Ho Chi Minh City failed to find another breakthrough as East Bengal preserved the lead.
Upcoming Group B fixtures in Kolkata and beyond
East Bengal now turns its attention to Korea Republic’s Hwacheon KSPO WFC for a Wednesday fixture. Hwacheon KSPO enters the match following a 2-1 defeat against DPR Korea’s 4.25 SC. Meanwhile, Ho Chi Minh City will face 4.25 SC in its next group stage outing.
Frequently asked questions about the AFC Women’s Champions League match
Which club did East Bengal defeat in the previous edition of the tournament?
East Bengal defeated Iran’s Bam Khatoon FC 3-1 during the previous tournament edition.
How many goals did Fazila Ikwaput score against Ho Chi Minh City?
Fazila Ikwaput scored two goals on Sunday, converting a 20th-minute penalty kick and scoring in the 34th minute.
Which player scored the lone goal for Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC?
Substitute Dau Nguyen Quynh Anh scored for Ho Chi Minh City in the 60th minute by heading in a ball created by Tran Thi Thu Xuan’s free-kick.
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