East Bengal FC 4-0 Rajshahi Stars FC: Key Takeaways from AFC Women's Champions League Qualifier 2026-27

East Bengal FC Women beats Rajshahi Stars FC Women 4-0.

Indian Women’s League (IWL) champions East Bengal FC began their AFC Women’s Champions League 2026-27 preliminary stage campaign on Monday (17th August) by defeating the Bangladeshi side Rajshahi Stars FC 4-0 at the Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. The Moshal Girls are once again targeting successive group-stage qualification in the continental competition.

The Red and Gold Brigade wins their first match in the Group A of the preliminary round with a dominant performance against Bangladeshi side Rajshahi Stars FC. In the absence of their star forward Fazila Ikwaput, Olivia Anokye, Soumya Guguloth and Astam Oraon took over the baton.

Olivia Anokye the new recruit of East Bengal from Ghana in the attacking line, scored a brace on her debut in the Red and Gold outfit. Soumya Guguloth and Astam Oraon were the other two goal-scorers for the Moshal Girls.

Olivia scored the first goal for East Bengal from a penalty spot earned by Soumya Guguloth during the 10th minute of the game. Astam Oraon scored one brilliant individual goal during the 25th minute, and Anoyke scored her third goal in the 37th minute.

East Bengal sealed the game in their favour during the halftime break itself, and just outplayed their opponent. But Soumya Guguloth who was brilliant throughout the game, scored the last and final goal for East Bengal in the 72nd minute to make it 4-0 for the Moshal Brigade at Malaysia.

Last season, East Bengal made it beyond the AFC Women’s Champions League preliminary stage, becoming the first Indian football club to win a group stage match in the competition before bowing out.

In this article, we take a look at the key takeaways of the AFC Women’s Champions League preliminary stage match between East Bengal FC and Rajshahi Stars FC.

1. Attacking quality was on full display despite the absence of Fazila Ikwaput in attacking line

Despite the absence of Fazila Ikwaput and Resty Nanziri in the forward line, the Moshal Girls managed to score four goals against a strong side like Rajshahi Stars FC of Bangladesh Premier League.

East Bengal just outplayed their opponent in all the areas, and their new recruit Olivia Anokye scored a brace on her debut, as well as Indian players like Soumya Guguloth, Astam Oraon, Sulanjana Raul showed their capabilities under pressure in the continental stage once again.

Anthony Andrews and his girls showed to other team in the very first match that they are once again targeting successive group-stage qualification in the continental competition. Their dominant performance, game control, goal-scoring abilities are surely an early warning to other teams in the league.

2. East Bengal’s defensive solidity is equally encouraging and impressive

While we talk about the four goals that were scored we must also mention about the clean sheet that were maintained by the East Bengal defence line against the Bangladesh champions. This will also grab the headlines and a positive takeaway from the match for the Anthony Andrews side.

The defence line was well managed and guided by captain Shilky Devi Hemam, followed by Abena Opoku, new recruit Adama Alhassan from Ghana, Priyangka Devi, Sarita Yumnam, and Astam Oraon.

This strong defensive performance gives the team an impressive and excellent foundation for the remaining group fixtures as well.

3. A perfect response to the challenge from Rajshahi Stars

National-player-studded Bangladeshi side Rajshahi Stars FC entered the competition as the reigning Women’s Football League champions of Bangladesh. Their coach Golam Rabbani Choton had also told before the match that they want perform well,taking this preliminary round seriously and really wants to qualify for the main round.

But East Bengal FC once again under the guidance of head coach Anthony Andrews were brilliant and super impressive in their performance in the continental stage. They just outplayed the Bangladeshi Champions through their game planning and counter attack tactics.

4. Moshal Girls put themselves in a strong position for qualification

East Bengal have given themselves an excellent platform and chance to qualify for the main round from Group A of the AFC Women’s Champions League Qualifier 2026-27 after a dominant win in the first match.

Still a long way to go, as only six top teams will qualify from six groups out of 24 teams from the preliminary stage. East Bengal’s next match is against Rovers FC on August 20 will be another important test.

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