East Bengal 12-0 Rovers FC in AWCL preliminary as group-stage qualification scenario takes shape
East Bengal FC defeated Guam’s Rovers FC 12-0 at the Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, on Thursday in the AFC Women’s Champions League 2026-27 Preliminary Stage, moving the Indian club closer to progression.
The win followed East Bengal’s 4-0 opening Group A victory over Bangladesh’s Rajshahi Stars, taking the team’s total to 16 goals from two matches; nine different players scored across the two games under coach Anthony Andrews. Only the group winner advances from the preliminary stage to the next round of the competition.
East Bengal sit atop Group A with six points and a +16 goal difference after two matches, and their final preliminary-stage fixture is against host Sabah FA on August 23. Sabah had beaten Rovers 13-0 in their opening game, while Rovers have been eliminated after conceding 25 goals in two matches and failing to score.
If Sabah beat Rajshahi today, they will level with East Bengal on points and move to the top of the table with 6 points as well and a hefty goal difference; East Bengal would then need to beat Sabah on Sunday, August 23, 2026, to ensure their qualification for the next round. "The AFC regulations first use head-to-head points, head-to-head goal difference and head-to-head goals before moving to overall goal difference."
Should Sabah draw with Rajshahi, East Bengal would only need a win or a draw against Sabah in the final match to finish top of the group and advance. If Sabah lose to Rajshahi, Sabah would be on 3 points and East Bengal on 6, making a draw against Sabah sufficient for East Bengal to qualify.
Anthony Andrews’ squad can control its own destiny by defeating Sabah and finishing with nine points to take first place in Group A. East Bengal’s final preliminary-stage match against Sabah FA is scheduled for Sunday, August 23, 2026, at 5:30 PM (IST) at the Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia; the top team from each preliminary group advances to the AWCL Group Stage.
