Flames Burning Brighter Than Ever: East Bengal FC Women’s Historic Qualification for AFC Women’s Champions League

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East Bengal FC and Anthony Andrews are writing a fairytale. East Bengal FC, a club so much associated with continental participation has created another historic chapter when their “Moshal girls” dominated the Indian Women’s League to become champions and as a result of winning the league, they got a chance to represent India in the continental stage. At first, they had to go through a preliminary round in which they faced Kitchee SC from Hong Kong and Phnom Penh Crown from Cambodia. East Bengal FC topped their preliminary round group while being undefeated, conceding just a single goal. East Bengal FC’s participation means they become only the third team from India to play in an AFC tournament after Gokulam Kerala and Odisha FC. In a draw that took place at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, it was decided that East Bengal FC will take defending champions and group hosts Wuhan Jiangda FC from China, Bam Khatoon FC from Iran and Uzbekistan’s PFC Nasaf.

In what has been a tough time for the supporters of East Bengal FC because of the continued struggle of the Men’s senior team, their Women counterparts have consistently given joy to the loud and proud Bangal supporters. The women’s team was reformed when the club announced FMCG giants, Emami as investors in 2022. The beginning was slow as team was playing only regional and invitational tournaments back then. Their first tournament was MLA Cup held at North Dinajpur district of West Bengal where only four teams participated. Their first major tournament was the 2022-23 season the Calcutta Women’s Football League or the Kanyashree Cup, as it is known now. East Bengal FC won the tournament which booked a place for them in the Indian Women’s League. East Bengal FC’s first season at the top tier of Indian football ended at the quarter final stage when they were heavily defeated by Sethu FC from Madurai. But East Bengal FC kept on participating. They entered the inaugral Women’s IFA Shield, which they won convincingly. But 2023-24 was not as memorable as East Bengal FC were not able to retain Kanyashree Cup and they finished sixth in the Indian Women’s League. But the season was crucial in other aspects. In early 2024, East Bengal FC signed their first ever foreigner when they signed Sanjida Akhter from Bangladesh for their 2023-24 Indian Women’s League season taking huge strides forward which would eventually bore them fruits in the seasons to come.

In the 2024-25 season, East Bengal FC made huge investments, as they brought in eight players from the India National Women’s Team and roped three foreign recruits, with Ghanian Elshaddai Acheampong being the star attraction. But the one move that caught headlines was the move of two time Indian Women’s League winning coach Anthony Andrews, joining East Bengal FC. Anthony Andrews and East Bengal FC dominated Indian football for a season and finished the league as champions with 37 points and just a single defeat to their name. They completed a famous double, when they won the 2024-25 Kanyashree Cup as well.

East Bengal FC roped 2024-25 Indian Women’s League highest goalscorer Fazila Ikwaput from Gokulam Kerala for the upcoming season. Fazila Ikwaput has already proved her mettle when she netted the winner against Phnom Penh Crown. East Bengal FC have managed to retain their Indian core squad which many point out to be the backbone of their success much like the success of Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the Men’s department, which is also filled with players from the National Team. However, coach Anthony Andrews has been worried about fixture congestion as the Indian Women’s League is also scheduled to start in November. He has expressed his concerns about fitness of his National Team players, who form the core of his tactical masterplan. He is also taking into consideration the timing of the international breaks, which can also affect his plans and preparations.

East Bengal FC will look to hit adversity in the face when the line up in Wuhan, the place from where the deadly Pandemic was born and proudly represent the tricolour at the continental stage, which East Bengal FC have done on so many occasions over the years, reaching the semi final of the AFC Cup, 2013 with their Men’s team (now AFC Champions League 2), being the highlight of their continental story. East Bengal FC’s dream for continental glory starts late in November, when they face their Group B opponents in Wuhan, China. The three group winners, three group runners up and two best third ranked team will advance to the quarter final of the competition.