East Bengal vs Sabah FA Live: Follow AFC Women's Champions League Preliminary Stage Live
Live Updates
2026-08-23T17:46:38+05:30
14' OFFSIDE
East Bengal craft a brilliant attack, courtesy of Sulanjana Raul, but her cross falls just short of her teammate. The follow-up attack is called offside by the referee.
0
2026-08-23T17:43:44+05:30
12' East Bengal making progress in the attack
East Bengal are now constantly trying to knock on the opponent doors, but Sabah FA remain sharp with their timely interceptions and clearances.
0
2026-08-23T17:41:51+05:30
9' Attacking initiative from East Bengal
Soumya Guguloth makes a run from the right and attempts a cross, which deflects the Sabah FA defender.
0
2026-08-23T17:40:36+05:30
Sabah FA setting an attacking tone for the match
Sabah FA have had a delightful start to the match, setting a quick tempo and keeping the East Bengal defenders in alert.
0
2026-08-23T17:38:29+05:30
Punched away by Panthoi Chanu
An Sebin took a curving free kick, which was easily punched away by Panthoi Chanu, who seamlessly mitigated the danger.
0
2026-08-23T17:37:07+05:30
Freekick for Sabah FA
East Bengal have commited a foul in the attacking half, providing Sabah FA a free kick from a dangerous position.
0
2026-08-23T17:34:24+05:30
KICKOFF
The referee has blown the whistle for kickoff. Who do you think will be the first to score?
0
2026-08-23T17:30:48+05:30
The players are out in the center
The players have stepped onto the pitch for the final group stage match of the AFC Women's Champions League Preliminary Stage. The match will kickoff at 5:30 PM IST.
0
2026-08-23T17:03:22+05:30
East Bengal vs Sabah FA
The live action will begin shortly. Stay tuned.
0
2026-08-23T16:54:34+05:30
Sabah FA - Lineup
Here's how Sabah FA lineup for their match against East Bengal.
Enzi Hekjema Starks (GK); Steffi Sarge Singh (C), Ayuri Terawaki, Rosdianah Adeline, Henrietta Justine, Juliana Barek, An Sebin, Delainey Varela-Keen, Mai-Lisa Atis, Misaki Nakayama, Asma Junaidi (GK).
3
2026-08-23T16:53:29+05:30
East Bengal - Lineup
Here's how East Bengal lineup for the match.
Elangbam Panthoi Chanu (GK); Astam Oraon, Sarita Yumnam, Soumya Guguloth, Naorem Priyangka Devi, Sathi Debnath, Shilky Devi Hemam (C), Abena Anoma Opoku, Sulanjana Raul, Adama Alhassan, Olivia Anokye.
3
2026-08-23T16:45:16+05:30
A crucial game for both sides
The race for qualification for the main competition comes down to this game. A win for either side would ensure qualification.
However, East Bengal have a slightly superior goal difference (+16) compared to Sabah (+14). Therefore, even a draw would suffice for East Bengal to finish at the top of the table.
1
2026-08-23T16:39:46+05:30
AFC Champions League Preliminary Stage - East Bengal FC vs Sabah FA
Hello, good evening and a very warm welcome to the live coverage of the AFC Women's Champions League Preliminary stage encounter, where East Bengal FC will take on the Sabah FA in their final match of the group stage.
1
East Bengal FC, the champions of the 2025-26 Indian Women’s League, are just one step away from making it to the group stages of the AFC Women’s Champions League for a second consecutive season.
Placed in Group A among the six groups in the preliminary stage of the 2026-27 AFC Women’s Champions League, East Bengal head into the final group-stage game as the table toppers.
They will face hosts Sabah FA, who are level on points with them but trail on goal difference. The match between the two sides is scheduled to take place on Sunday, August 23, 2026, from 17:30 IST at the Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
The Stakes
East Bengal FC
East Bengal FC are sitting on top of the Group A points table.East Bengal, who were knocked out of the 2025-26 AFC Women’s Champions League group stage by the slightest of margins on goal difference, will be determined to make it past the group stage this time. However, the first hurdle they have to cross is the preliminary stage.
Coming into the game, East Bengal have already won both of their opening games in the preliminary stage in convincing fashion and sit at the top of the table with six points. They have scored 16 goals across the two games while conceding none.
It is a do-or-die game for East Bengal, but they must not lose the game if they want to make it to the main tournament.
Thanks to their superior goal difference, even a draw would be enough for them to finish as group leaders and make it to the group stages if they cannot secure a win.
Sabah FA
Sabah FA will aim a win against East Bengal FCSabah FA, the hosts of Group A, are also unbeaten, having won both their games and collecting six points. They have a very similar goal difference to East Bengal, with the hosts sitting at +14 compared to East Bengal’s +16.
They started their campaign with a 13-0 thrashing of Rovers before defeating Bangladeshi side Rajshahi Stars 2-1 in their second game despite conceding a late goal. As a result, they have no choice but to win their final preliminary-stage game if they want to qualify for the main tournament.
Having played in the 2024-25 AFC Women’s Champions League, the Malaysian champions will be determined to give their best against East Bengal and assert their position at the top of the table in front of their home fans to return back to the group stages of the competition.
Team News
East Bengal are expected to have a fully fit squad available for selection, with the exception of Fazila Ikwaput and Resty Nanziri, both of whom have not travelled with the squad to Malaysia due to visa issues.
Hosts Sabah FA are also expected to have a fully fit squad available for the all-important clash.
Head-to-Head Record
East Bengal FC and Sabah FA have never faced each other in any competition prior to this game, making this the first meeting between the two sides in history.
Predicted Lineups
East Bengal FC (4-2-3-1)
Panthoi Chanu (C) (GK); Sarita Yumnam, Adama Alhassan, Ashalata Devi, Astam Oraon; Shilky Devi, Olivia Anokye; Rimpa Haldar, Naorem Priyangka Devi, Sulanjana Raul; Abigail Antwi.
Sabah FA (4-3-3)
Asma Junaidi (GK); Steffi Sarge Kaur, Varela-Keen, Juliana Barek, Henrietta Justine, Rosdianah Adeline; A. Terawaki, An Se-Bin, M. Atis; E. Broussard, M. Nakayama
Telecast Details
The AFC Women’s Champions League preliminary stage clash between Sabah FA and East Bengal will take place on Sunday, 23rd August (2026).
The match will kick off at 5:30 pm IST and will be live streamed on FanCode.
When will East Bengal play Sabah FA in AWCL Preliminary Stage?
The AFC Women’s Champions League preliminary stage clash between Sabah FA and East Bengal will take place on Sunday, 23rd August (2026) at 5:30 pm IST.
Where can fans watch the AWCL Preliminary Stage matches in India?
The AWCL Preliminary Stage matches will be live streamed on FanCode.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.
Catch Every Update, Anytime, Anywhere
Ayushman Sharma is a sports enthusiast with a deep love for football, following the game closely since 2018. A hardcore supporter of NorthEast United FC and FC Barcelona, he has also gained valuable on-ground experience by volunteering during FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in Guwahati.