East Bengal’s historic journey in the AFC Women’s Champions League came to a disappointing end as the Indian Women’s League champions fell 0-3 to Uzbekistan’s Nasaf FC, crashing out of the competition at the group stage.
Needing only a draw from their final group match to secure a quarterfinal berth, East Bengal were undone by a clinical Nasaf side that dictated play for most of the contest. The defeat not only ended the Kolkata club’s knockout hopes but also left them bottom of their group despite earning India’s first-ever win in the tournament earlier in the campaign.
Nasaf, who had impressed in their opening match by holding defending champions Wuhan Jiangda to a 1-1 draw, once again showed composure and tactical sharpness. East Bengal attempted to create opportunities through Soumya Guguloth’s long-ball runs, often supplied by midfielder Resty Nanziri, but they were repeatedly thwarted by Nasaf’s assured goalkeeper, Maftuna Jonimqulov.
The breakthrough came in the 23rd minute when Nasaf captain Nilufar Kudratova broke free on the right flank, beating Astam Oraon before sending in a precise low cross. Forward Diyorakhon Khabibullaeva made no mistake, slotting the ball past East Bengal’s custodian Elangbam Panthoi Chanu. Referee Yamashita Yoshimi consulted the Football Video Support (FVS) system for a potential offside on Kudratova, but the goal stood, giving Nasaf a crucial early advantage.
After the interval, Nasaf continued to press high, and their persistence paid off in the 52nd minute. Substitute Zarina Norboeva capitalised on a loose ball inside the box to double the lead, leaving East Bengal’s defence scrambling. Despite some late efforts from Guguloth and Nanziri, the Indian side found little success breaking through Nasaf’s compact defensive lines.
With East Bengal pushing forward in search of a late lifeline, Nasaf sealed the result deep into stoppage time. Khabibullaeva netted her second of the evening, firing home on the rebound after Chanu’s initial save, confirming a 3-0 win and eliminating East Bengal’s faint hopes of progressing as one of the best third-placed teams.
While the result ended their AFC campaign, East Bengal can take pride in their landmark achievement — registering India’s first victory in the AFC Women’s Champions League. For coach Maymol Rocky’s side, the experience will serve as a crucial step forward in building a more competitive foundation for Indian women’s football on the continental stage.
