East Bengal become first Indian side into AFC Women’s Champions League quarterfinals

East Bengal became the first Indian team to reach the AFC Women’s Champions League knockout stage after losing 2-0 to North Korea’s April 25 SC in Kolkata on Saturday, November 7, 2026. The defeat in the club’s final Group B match nevertheless secured East Bengal a place in the quarterfinals.

April 25 SC seized control early when Han Jin-Hong headed home in the second minute, forcing East Bengal onto the back foot for much of the first half. The Kolkata side struggled to contain the visitors’ attacking threat and relied on goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu, who produced two crucial saves to prevent further damage. April 25 doubled their lead when Oh Sol-Song struck from long range in the 43rd minute.

East Bengal entered the match needing to avoid a loss by more than three goals in order to advance as one of the two best third-placed teams across the three groups. That scenario left little margin for error heading into the final group fixture.

Myanmar’s Ayeyawady Women’s Football Club finished its Group A campaign with three points and a goal difference of minus six, a standing that influenced East Bengal’s qualification requirement. With that comparative result, preserving the goal margin became East Bengal’s primary task.

The second half saw East Bengal hold firm, conceding no further goals and maintaining the deficit required to progress into the last eight. The match ended: East Bengal 0 lost to April 25 SC 2 (Han Jin-Hong 2, Oh Sol-Song 43).

April 25 SC topped Group B with nine points from three wins, while South Korea’s Hwacheon KSPO WFC finished second with six points following a 3-1 victory over Ho Chi Minh City WFC earlier in the day.

The achievement marks a significant milestone for Indian women’s club football, and East Bengal will now compete in the quarterfinals of the AFC Women’s Champions League.