East Bengal FC to start AFC Women's Champions League campaign against Iran's Bam Khatoon

East Bengal are the defending IWL champions.

East Bengal FC will embark on their Asian assignment tomorrow when they take on Bam Khatoon from Iran. The Red and Gold Brigade made their way into the group stage of the AFC Women’s Champions League following their convincing performance in the preliminary round.

In the preliminary round of the competition, East Bengal were grouped with Hong Kong’s Kitchee and Cambodia’s Phnom Penh Crown. The Red and Gold Brigade registered a win against Phnom Penh Crown and drew against Kitchee.

The Stakes

East Bengal FC

East Bengal are heading into the AFC Women’s Champions League group stage as the sole representative of India. They will have the responsibility to spearhead the Indian challenge and carry on the momentum in Indian Women’s Football.

Anthony Andrews’ team lived up to the expectations in the preliminary round as they played in away conditions against some of the best teams in Asia and emerged as the group toppers. If they can replicate that performance in the group stage, they are set to script history.

Bam Khatoon

Bam Khatoon are the record 11-time domestic champions of Iran. The Iranian club qualified for the quarter-finals last season. They lost to South Korea’s Incheon Red Angels 1-0 in a closely fought contest. They will be eager to make amends this time and make their way to the last four. Bam Khatoon have been consistent at the continental level and are contenders to finish at the top of the group. Going past Bam Khatoon’s challenge will be a tough task for the Indian club.

Head-to-Head Record

The two teams have never met before, and this will be their first clash.

Team News

Both teams are expected to field their best team for the opening clash of the group stage.

Predicted Lineup

East Bengal (4-2-3-1):

Panthoi Chanu (GK), Sweety Devi, Ashalata Devi, Astan Oraon, Supriya Kispotta, Soumya Guguloth, Sangaita Basfore, Maurine Achieng, Sandhiya Ranganathan, Resty Nanziri, Fazila Ilkwaput

Player to Watch

Fazila Ilkwaput (East Bengal)

East Bengal made a major acquisition ahead of the AFC Women’s Champions League campaign by roping in Ugandan forward Fazila Ilkwaput to strengthen their frontline. Fazila has been one of the best players in Indian football since 2024, when she joined Gokulam Kerala FC.

She has been the best striker by a mile in the Indian Women’s League. Fazila won the Golden Boot in the 2024-25 IWL campaign, having scored 24 goals. Ilkwaput also scored against Phnom Penh Crown in the preliminary round and will be aiming to add more to her tally in the group stage.

Where to watch East Bengal vs Bam Khatoon?

The AFC Women’s Champions League clash between East Bengal FC and Bam Khatoon will be streamed live on the FanCode App in India.

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