East Bengal FC beat Sabah FA 2-0 at Likas Stadium to reach AFC Women’s Champions League group stage

East Bengal FC defeated Sabah FA 2-0 at Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia on Sunday, August 23, 2026, to qualify for the AFC Women’s Champions League 2026-27 group stage. Second-half goals from Olivia Anokye (67th minute) and Soumya Guguloth (87th minute) secured the win as East Bengal finished top of Group A with maximum points.

East Bengal entered the preliminary stage as the IWL champions and had earlier recorded wins over Rajshahi Stars FC (4-0) and Rovers FC (12-0). Those results, plus the victory over Sabah, made them the first Indian club to make back-to-back appearances in the AFC Women’s Champions League Group Stage.

The match began nervily before Sabah started to create opportunities, with Misaki Nakayama forcing a half-volley over in the 21st minute. Two minutes later Mai-Lisa Atis delivered a first-time cross from the right to an unmarked Enzi Broussard, who scuffed her attempt with only Panthoi Chanu Elangbam to beat.

The second half was more even, with Juliana Barek weaving into the box on the right but sending a chip onto the roof of the net. In the 55th minute Soumya broke down the right flank and crossed for Sulanjana Raul, whose header was turned away by Sabah custodian Junaidi. Olivia Anokye then had an opening but was denied by a brave block from Junaidi.

Olivia opened the scoring in the 67th minute after latching onto Sulanjana’s through pass and outpacing Siti Nurfaizah before knocking the ball past Junaidi on her second attempt. The Moshal Girls sealed the win in the 87th minute when substitute Rimpa Haldar crossed for Soumya Guguloth, who rifled the ball home. Those strikes settled what had been a keenly-fought contest.

The AFC Women’s Champions League 2026-27 Group Stage will be played in centralised locations from November 1 to 7, 2026, and East Bengal will learn their opponents when the draw takes place on September 3.