East Bengal women will step onto uncharted territory on Monday when they face Phnom Penh Crown FC in Cambodia in their opening fixture of the AFC Women’s Champions League Preliminary Stage. The occasion carries immense significance, not only for East Bengal, but also for Indian football.
The Red-and-Gold brigade landed in Phnom Penh as India’s flag-bearers, having swept the IWL and the Kanyashree Cup last season. Under head coach Anthony Andrews, they have quietly built one of the strongest squads ever assembled by an Indian women’s club, boasting 10 national team regulars and a formidable foreign contingent.
The Queens of India 🇮🇳👸 are gearing up for their continental debut! 💪🔴🟡
1st Preliminary Stage match 🆚 Phnom Penh Crown FC
🏟️ National Sports Complex of Cambodia
⏰ 17:30 IST tomorrow
📺 Live on the BTC News Sports Facebook Page (Viewers in India need a VPN to access)… pic.twitter.com/3esEP27RXc— East Bengal FC (@eastbengal_fc) August 24, 2025
Andrews, who has already led Indian clubs to success on the continental stage, was clear about the mission. “Challenge and pressure are always privileges,” he said. “We know why we are going there. We’re not here just to participate — we’re here for serious business. On the 25th and 31st, we’ll give everything in our capacity to win and to put a smile on our fans’ faces.”
The squad’s spine reflects that seriousness. At the back, goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu — recently crowned AIFF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year — offers reliability and leadership. Despite the absence of veteran Ashalata Devi, the defensive unit has depth with India international Sweety Devi alongside foreign recruits Maureen Okpala of Nigeria and Ghana’s Abena Opoku.
In attack, the spotlight inevitably falls on Ugandan striker Fazila Ikwaput, who arrives with a staggering record of 37 goals in 22 games at Gokulam Kerala. The two-time IWL Golden Boot winner did not hide her excitement. “I’m very excited because now it’s like a family — one team. With the little experience I have, I’m going to do my best to reach the club’s target,” she said.
Panthoi echoed that confidence. “My self-confidence is high. We’ve practised well at Kalyani and prepared hard. Every match is different, but we are aiming high and focused on performing well,” she said. East Bengal, during their month-long camp in Kalyani, even played against men’s teams to prepare at their fullest for the AFC — a reflection of how seriously the club has approached this challenge.
The midfield too has steel and craft, led by Sangita Basfore, whose calm presence will be crucial. “We are very excited to play in the Champions League. We’ve worked very hard as a team and now we have to prove ourselves on the ground,” she said on the eve of departure.
For East Bengal, this campaign is about more than results. It comes at a time when uncertainty clouds the men’s domestic calendar in India, while women’s football continues its upward trajectory. India have already secured a spot in the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup and seen its U-20 side qualify for the continental championship.
Andrews is keen to place East Bengal within that broader story. “The club has played a vital role in developing these players — training, accommodation, everything. It’s not easy. But this is the level we need to play now, and that’s why we’ve trained accordingly. Whatever was in our control, we have done,” he said.
The clash against Crown FC in Phnom Penh is only the first step. Victory would bring them closer to qualification for the AFC Women’s Champions League Group Stage, where they could rub shoulders with Asia’s elite. For now, though, the focus is on 90 minutes against Cambodia’s champions.
East Bengal’s owner officials have called this campaign a “dream stage” for the women’s team. The players seem to share that sentiment. As Panthoi put it simply: “We want to make history.”
Follow RevSportz For More Such Stories