East Bengal rout Rovers FC 12-0 in AFC Women’s Champions League preliminary qualifier
East Bengal defeated Rovers FC 12-0 in the second match of the 2026-27 AFC Women’s Champions League preliminary stage on August 20, 2026, turning a 3-0 half-time lead into a nine-goal second-half surge. The victory was recorded under coach Anthony Andrews as the Torchbearers moved closer to their aim of reaching the group stages for a second straight campaign.
The 12-0 scoreline was East Bengal’s biggest-ever win in an AFC match and represented a decisive display across both attacking and defensive phases. The result extended their perfect start in the preliminary group, and it followed a heavy 13-0 victory by hosts Sabah WFC over the same Rovers FC side earlier in the qualifiers.
Priyangka Devi opened the scoring early and finished with a first-half brace, repeatedly posing problems for the Rovers FC defence with her movement, runs into danger areas and link-up play. Devi has been with East Bengal since 2024 and the article notes she now carries experience from AFC competitions into the qualifiers.
East Bengal’s foreign recruits also made major contributions: Olivia Anonkye produced a quick double inside the first 15 minutes of the second half after having scored a brace in the opening group match, Abigail Antwi scored after coming on in the second half, and Adama Alhassan featured among the attacking options. Abena Opoku added two goals in a six-minute spell during the second-half onslaught.
The coaching staff benefited from a balanced scoring spread, with nine different players reaching the scoresheet in the 12-0 win. Match coverage captured the comprehensive nature of the victory, with social updates noting the full-time margin and the number of scorers as East Bengal pursued a berth in the main round.
Across their two preliminary-stage matches East Bengal have scored 16 goals and conceded none, a run that the side must sustain when they meet the tournament hosts. The Malaysian side Sabah WFC remain the primary challenge in the section after their own lopsided win over Rovers FC.
Anthony Andrews' side faces Malaysia’s Sabah FA, the hosts on Sunday, August 23, 2026 at , at the same venue at 5:30 PM (IST); a win in that fixture would be enough to guide them into the group stages of the 2026-27 AFC Women’s Champions League.
