East Bengal to open AFC Women's Champions League preliminary campaign against Rajshahi Stars
East Bengal FC will begin their AFC Women’s Champions League 2026-27 preliminary stage campaign on Monday (17th August) against Rajshahi Stars FC at the Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, with kickoff scheduled for 1:30 pm IST. The Indian Women’s League champions are targeting back-to-back progress to the competition’s group stage after advancing from the preliminary phase last season.
East Bengal have been drawn in Group A alongside Malaysia’s Sabah FA, Guam’s Rovers FC and Bangladeshi side Rajshahi Stars FC. The preliminary stage comprises 24 teams split into six groups of four, with only the six group winners advancing to the AFC Women’s Champions League 2026-27 group stage. Those six group winners will join six teams that have secured direct entry to complete the group-stage field. Last season East Bengal progressed beyond the preliminary stage and became the first Indian club to register a group-stage win before being eliminated.
The first match carries significant weight for East Bengal’s campaign because only group winners progress, and an opening victory would move them closer to topping Group A. East Bengal will be without Fazila Ikwaput, Resty Nanziri, Abena Opoku, Sweety Devi, Karthika Angamuthu and Sandhiya Ranganathan for the opener, while Soumya Guguloth is recovering from a knee injury.
Rajshahi Stars FC arrive on their continental debut as Bangladesh champions and have kept 11 players from their title-winning side, with 18 national team players in the squad. The Bangladeshi club will be missing Ritu Porna Chakma due to issues with her International Transfer Certificate, a setback to their preparations for the preliminary stage.
Projected East Bengal XI: Panthoi Chanu (C) (GK); Sarita Yumnam, Adama Alhassan, Ashalata Devi, Astam Oraon; Shilky Devi, Olivia Anokye; Rimpa Haldar, Naorem Priyangka Devi, Sulanjana Raul; Abigail Antwi. Projected Rajshahi XI: Rupna Chakma (GK); Sheuli Azim (C), Afeida Khandaker, Bimal BK, Shamsunnahar Sr.; Monika Chakma, Maria Manda, Sapna Rani, Unnoti Khatun; Shamsunnahar Jr., Tohura Khatun. According to records, East Bengal FC and Rajshahi Stars FC have never played each other in a professional match.
Panthoi Chanu is highlighted as a key figure for East Bengal; the experienced India international will be expected to marshal the defence in the absence of several regulars and provide leadership at the back. Maria Manda is identified as one of Rajshahi’s players to watch, described as an experienced Bangladesh international capable of winning possession, dictating play and contributing to the attacking third. The preview notes that Rajshahi will need to ensure Panthoi does not settle comfortably, warning that she could pose problems if allowed to do so.
There is currently no clarity regarding live streaming of East Bengal’s AFC Women’s Champions League 2026-27 preliminary stage matches in India, and no official broadcaster or streaming platform has been confirmed for the games. Khel Now directs readers to follow its social channels and apps for further updates; the article is authored by Ayushman Sharma.
Should East Bengal qualify for the AFC Women’s Champions League 2026-27 group stage, they will enter a separate draw in September. Group-stage matches are scheduled to begin in November.