Wuhan, China – 23 November (LatestNewsX) – East Bengal FC’s run in the 2025‑26 AFC Women’s Champions League comes to an end after they were beaten 0‑3 by Uzbekistan’s PFC Nasaf in their final Group B match on Sunday.
The victory puts Nasaf second in the group, with four points, and guarantees them a quarter‑final berth alongside group leaders Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC from China. East Bengal finished their debut campaign in third place, also on three points, while Iran’s Bam Khatoon FC slipped to the bottom with the same tally.
In the comparison of best third‑place teams, Suwon FC from South Korea topped Group C with four points, and Philippines’ Stallion Laguna FC were the second‑best by scoring three points. Though the two clubs matched East Bengal on goal difference, the Indian side had scored fewer goals and therefore missed the knockout stage.
East Bengal’s “Moshal Girls” had previously beaten Bam Khatoon 3‑1 and then lost 0‑2 to Wuhan Jiangda.
From the kickoff, Nasaf controlled the pitch. Nilufar Kudratova pushed into the box in the fifth minute, but she hesitated, giving Anoma Opoku the chance to press her. The captain replicated the move in the 18th minute, putting a pass to Diyorakhon Khabibullaeva for a tap‑in.
The early goal loosened the Uzbek squad, letting them play more fluid football. Both Zarina Mamatkarimova and Gulzoda Amirova had chances that hit the crossbar. During the first half, East Bengal’s shots were mostly backward; a decisive free‑kick from Fazila Ikwaput in the 39th minute was well read by Nasaf’s goalkeeper, Maftuna Jonimqulova.
The game remained tight after the break. Nasaf extended their lead seven minutes later when Zarina Norboeva capitalised on a cross from Lyudmila Karachik. In the 61st minute, Amnah Nababi set Soumya Guguloth up on goal, but the ball was headed straight into Jonimqulova’s hands.
The back of the net came once more for Nasaf in the 66th minute after another Karachik cross, with Khabibullaeva flicking past Elangbam Panthoi Chanu – only to miss the wooden barrier. Nasaf sealed the win in stoppage time: Karachik’s first effort was parried by Panthoi, but Khabibullaeva was unforgiving on the follow‑up.
East Bengal now looks ahead to the first edition of the SAFF Club Women’s Championship, which will run from 5–20 December in Kathmandu, Nepal.
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