Football

East Bengal Set for AFC Women’s Champions League Opener Against Ho Chi Minh City

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Oct 31, 2026, 17:31 IST

East Bengal kick off their AFC Women’s Champions League group stage campaign in Kolkata this Sunday, aiming to become the first Indian side to reach the tournament's quarter-finals under coach Anthony Andrews.

East Bengal Set for AFC Women’s Champions League Opener Against Ho Chi Minh City

East Bengal are set to embark on a significant chapter in their history as they prepare to launch their AFC Women’s Champions League group stage campaign. The Indian side will face Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City this Sunday, November 1, in a highly anticipated Group B encounter held at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.

This tournament represents a milestone for Indian football, as the nation hosts the group stage of this continental competition for the first time. For East Bengal, the stakes are high; a successful progression from the group stage would see them become the first Indian team to qualify for the quarter-finals of the AFC Women’s Champions League.

Building Momentum on the Continental Stage

The team, managed by Anthony Andrews, enters the tournament with considerable momentum. East Bengal secured their place in the group stage for the second consecutive season after a dominant performance in the preliminary rounds held in Malaysia this past August. During that campaign, the squad remained flawless, topping Group A with a perfect record that included a 4-0 victory over Bangladesh’s Rajshahi Stars, a commanding 12-0 win against Guam’s Rovers FC, and a 2-0 result against Sabah FA.

The side currently boasts an impressive eight-game unbeaten streak in international football, a run that includes their success in last year’s inaugural SAFF Women’s Club Championship in Kathmandu. Over this period, the team has been prolific in front of goal, netting 34 times while maintaining a clean sheet throughout the entire stretch.

Match Details and Viewing Information

Following their opening match against Ho Chi Minh City, East Bengal will continue their group stage schedule at the same venue. They are slated to face South Korean side Hwacheon KSPO WFC on November 4, followed by a final group clash against North Korea’s 4.25 SC on Saturday, November 7.

Fans looking to follow the action on Sunday can tune in to the match, which is scheduled to kick off at 8 pm IST. While there will be no live television broadcast for the fixture in India, supporters can access live coverage of the game through the FanCode app and website.