Ikwaput goal not enough as East Bengal lose 1-4 to Hwacheon KSPO; Shilky Devi criticised

East Bengal FC were beaten 1-4 by Hwacheon KSPO FC at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata in their second match of the AFC Women’s Champions League 2026-27 season. Fazila Ikwaput put East Bengal ahead in the 17th minute but Hwacheon scored three times after half-time to turn the game around.

East Bengal’s performance was described as toothless in attack and suboptimal in defence as the match progressed. Hwacheon maintained a solid defensive shape in the second half and restricted most East Bengal attacks, while East Bengal managed 39% ball possession for the match.

It was a difficult afternoon for goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu, who conceded four goals; none of the goals were labelled sloppy and the report said they gave very little chance for Chanu to make a save. The assessment added that conceding four in a single match is not a favourable look for the keeper.

Defensively, Sarita produced an average showing and struggled to contain Hwacheon’s attack as the game wore on, and did not push forward as frequently as the opposite full-back. Opoku was left isolated at the back at times by centre-half partner Alhassan and, while relatively sturdy compared to others, was described as suboptimal when dealing with Jae-Eun and Eun-Ju. Alhassan had a decent first half but was criticised for pushing forward after the break, leaving her defensive position empty; the report stated she was nowhere to be seen for all three goals Hwacheon scored in the second half. Astam’s overlapping runs created space in the East Bengal backline and she assisted Ikwaput’s opening goal.

Midfield moments were mixed: Hitomi conceded the penalty that led to East Bengal’s second goal and had an early second-half volley that went wide, with the appraisal calling it a sloppy outing from an otherwise trustworthy player. Nanziri showed some positive moments in the first half but was described as blunt after the interval as East Bengal increasingly struggled to retain the ball. Anokye was noted as barely visible in this match and failed to register any serious attempts at goal.

Hwacheon’s third goal stemmed from Shilky Devi not returning to her position at the far post; Eun-Ju slotted home from a Jeong-Min assist, and the report said that goal effectively took the game beyond East Bengal’s reach. Ikwaput was credited as East Bengal’s lone scorer, with her finish described as well taken on her left foot and drilled into the bottom corner, though the appraisal added she had missed further chances in the first half. At half-time Rimpa Halder replaced Sulanjana Raul, a substitution the piece called hasty; it said Halder was not as lively or quick as Sulanjana and could not add to the attack. In the 75th minute Sathi was bypassed by a throughball from Hyeon-A which Jae-Eun chased and converted with ease, and Priyangka Devi’s very late introduction meant she had no impact on the game.

East Bengal sit third in Group B with 3 points from one win against Ho Chi Minh City WFC. With one match remaining in the group, the report states East Bengal are still mathematically in the race owing to their opening victory.