East Bengal v Sabah FA: AFC Women’s Champions League preliminary decider at Likas Stadium

East Bengal FC will meet Sabah FA at Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at 17:30 IST in the final Group A fixture of the AFC Women’s Champions League preliminary stage. Both sides enter the game level on six points, with East Bengal topping the table on superior goal difference.

East Bengal are the 2025-26 Indian Women’s League champions and are one step away from reaching the AWCL group stages for a second straight season after a narrow group-stage exit on goal difference in 2025-26. In the preliminary stage they have won both opening matches, scoring 16 goals and conceding none, which leaves them on six points and a +16 goal difference. Hosts Sabah FA are also unbeaten with six points and sit at +14 goal difference after two wins, placing them immediately behind East Bengal in Group A.

The qualification stakes are clear: Sabah must win their final preliminary-stage game to advance to the main tournament, while East Bengal need not lose — a draw would see them finish as group leaders because of their superior goal difference. East Bengal have a strong defensive record in the preliminary stage, having not conceded across their two fixtures.

Squad availability for East Bengal is nearly complete, with Fazila Ikwaput and Resty Nanziri absent after not travelling to Malaysia because of visa issues; otherwise a fully fit squad is expected. Ghanaian forward Olivia Anokye has carried the club’s attacking burden in Ikwaput’s absence, scoring four goals in two matches with a brace in each game; the report describes her as a clinical finisher praised for movement and positional awareness that creates space by drawing defenders.

Sabah began the campaign with a 13-0 victory over Rovers and followed up with a 2-1 win against Rajshahi Stars, the latter match featuring a late conceded goal but still delivering three points. Enzi Hekima Starks Broussard started the preliminary stage with four goals in the first match and added both goals in the 2-1 win, giving her six goals across the two games; she is described in the report as a traditional striker with strong aerial ability, decent hold-up play and physical prowess. The report also notes Sabah have prior experience in the competition, having played in the 2024-25 AFC Women’s Champions League.

Projected starting lineups supplied in the preview name 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 for East Bengal. Sabah FA’s listed XI is Asma Junaidi (GK); Steffi Sarge Kaur, Varela-Keen, Juliana Barek, Henrietta Justine, Rosdianah Adeline; A. Terawaki, An Se-Bin, M. Atis; E. Broussard, M. Nakayama.

The match kicks off at 5:30 pm IST on Sunday, 23 August 2026, and will be live streamed on FanCode; a draw would be sufficient for East Bengal to finish top of Group A and progress to the AWCL group stages, while Sabah must secure a win to advance.