East Bengal rout Rovers FC 12-0 at Likas Stadium in AWCL preliminary stage
East Bengal defeated Rovers FC 12-0 at the Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu on 20 August 2026 in the 2026-27 AFC Women’s Champions League Preliminary Stage. The Moshal girls recorded a second consecutive victory and kept a clean sheet once again, moving to the top of Group A with (=16) goal difference and 6 points from two games.
East Bengal dominated possession and offered Rovers little attacking threat throughout the match; their defence remained compact and goalkeeper Khambi Chanu Sarangthem was calm and composed under the goalpost, making one genuine save in the 66th minute. Host Sabah FA still have their second group match to play against Rajshahi Stars.
Nine different players got on the scoresheet as East Bengal built their 12-goal tally: Priyangka Devi Naorem (6th minute, 22nd minute), Astam Oraon (14th minute), Abigail Antwi (49th minute), Sulanjana Raul (51st minute), Abena Anoma Opoku (64th minute, 70th minute), Shilky Devi Hemam (one goal in the second half), and Soumya (injury-time). Olivia Anokye scored twice for East Bengal as well.
Individual player assessments from the match included Khambi Chanu Sarangthem — 7/10 for concentration and the single save she produced. Abena Anoma Opoku received 9/10 for her defensive composure and two goals, while Priyangka Devi Naorem was also rated 9/10 after her brace. Shilky Devi Hemam was marked 8/10 for controlling midfield possession and contributing a goal in the second half.
At the back, Astam Oraon was noted for maintaining positioning and avoiding major errors while contributing the 14th-minute goal. Sarita supported the right side defensively and selected moments to join attacks, Adama Alhassan (on her second match for East Bengal) was described as calm and composed in defence, and Ashalata Devi provided leadership and stability across the back line.
In attack, Priyangka was credited with linking midfield and the frontline and sustaining East Bengal’s attacking fluidity. Olivia Anokye handled the centre-forward role in the absence of Fazila Ikwaput and scored twice, Sulanjana Raul scored after coming on as a second-half substitute, and Abigail Antwi — who joined East Bengal this season from Setu FC, where she featured in the Indian Women’s League last season — also made an immediate impact off the bench with a goal in the 49th minute. Sushmita provided a solid defensive cameo after coming on, while Rimpa offered attacking width as a substitute but registered no direct impact.
Anthony Andrews-coached East Bengal will face Malaysia’s Sabah FA, the group hosts, on Sunday, August 23, 2026 at the same venue at 5:30 PM (IST). That match will determine which side progresses into the next round of the AFC Women’s Champions League.
