East Bengal FC aim winning start to 2025 SAFF Women's Club Championship against Transport United FC

This is the first edition of the newly formed SAFF Women’s Club Championship.

East Bengal Women will begin their 2025 SAFF Women’s Club Championship campaign against Bhutan’s Transport United FC at Kathmandu’s Dashrath Rangasala Stadium. The game will kick off on December 8, 2025, at 13:45 IST.

This is the inaugural SAFF Women’s Club Championship, an effort by the South Asian Football Federation to allow the finest clubs from SAFF nations to compete for a trophy. Five teams from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Bhutan are competing.

The Stakes:

Transport United FC

Transport United FC is coming off a goalless draw with Pakistan’s Karachi City in the first game of the 2025 SAFF Women’s Club Championship. They earned a spot in the competition after finishing second in the 2024 Bhutan Women’s National League. But this year, they finished third in the competition, six points behind the 2025 Bhutan Women’s National League champions, RTC WFC.

They were the club with the second most goals scored in their domestic league, with 136 in 18 games. However, they struggled to score in their first game, and the upcoming match against East Bengal is expected to be much more difficult. Yeshi Wangchuk, the head coach of Transport United FC, must be precise with his defensive strategies, or the Moshal girls would run riot.

East Bengal FC

East Bengal FC, led by Anthony Andrews, is coming off an AFC Women’s Champions League campaign that ended in dismay. Starting the campaign with a win against Iran’s Bam Khatoon FC, the Moshal girls were eliminated after two straight defeats to Nasaf FC and Wuhan Jiangda.

On paper, East Bengal are the favourites to win the competition. With four foreigners and a large number of national team players, returning to India without the trophy would be a terrible campaign. Anthony Andrews will be seeking to add another title to his impressive cabinet.

Head-to-Head

This is the first encounter between these two teams in history.

Team News

Tshering Lhaden’s participation for Transport United FC is doubtful, since the young midfielder was substituted halfway through the first half in the last game. It remains to be seen whether she plays against East Bengal.

Nigerian defender Maureen Tovia Okpala is likely to be available for East Bengal FC for the 2025 SAFF Women’s Club Championship. Okpala, who missed the AFC Women’s Champions League campaign, has travelled with squad for the competition.

Also Read: All you need to know about SAFF Women’s Club Championship 2025

Predicted Lineups

Transport United FC (4-2-3-1)

Sangita Monger (GK); Sonam Choden, Suk Maya Ghalley, Pema Choden Tshering, Dorji Ed; Yeshi Choden, Sunita Rai; Jamyang Choden, Tashi Wangmo, Yeshi Bidha; Deki Lhazom;

East Bengal FC (4-3-3)

Panthoi Chanu (GK); Sarita Yumnam, Sweety Devi, Abena Anoma, Astan Oraon; Supriya Kispotta, Amnah Nababi, Resty Nanziri; Soumya Guguloth, Jyoti Chouhan, Fazila Ilkwaput;

Key Players

Transport United FC – Deki Lhazom

The Bhutan forward was selected MVP of the 2025 Bhutan Women’s National League. Deki, who formerly played for RTC FC in the domestic league, will represent Transport United FC in the 2025 SAFF women’s club championship.

She had previously played for Saudi giants Al-Ittihad and is a significant player for Bhutan’s women’s national team, having scored over 20 goals. Anthony Andrews and the East Bengal defence must be mindful of the threat that Deki poses.

East Bengal FC – Fazila Ilkwaput

The Ugandan striker has been East Bengal’s primary source of goals this season, netting two of the team’s five AFC goals. She also has an impressive goal-scoring record, netting more than forty goals in the Indian Women’s League while playing for Gokulam Kerala FC.

East Bengal is anticipated to have more opportunities in front of the goal when they play Transport United, and Fazila will be eager to take the pitch and add a couple to her name.

When and where to watch the 2025 SAFF Women’s Club Championship match between Transport United FC vs East Bengal FC live?

The 2025 SAFF Women’s Club Championship match between Transport United FC and East Bengal FC will take place on Monday, 6th December 2025. The match kicks off at 13:45 PM IST and will be streamed live on MSMVideo for fans outside Nepal.

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