East Bengal are set to embark on a landmark campaign as they host the
The Kolkata venue will serve as the hub for all three of East Bengal's group matches. Following their opener, the team faces a challenging schedule against South Korean side Hwacheon KSPO WFC on November 4, followed by a final group encounter against North Korea's 4.25 SC on November 7. With 12 teams competing across the continent, the top two finishers from each group, alongside the two best third-placed sides, will progress to the knockout phase.
Building Momentum for Continental Success
The 'Moshal Girls' enter the tournament with significant momentum, having qualified for the group stage for the second consecutive year. Their journey to this point was marked by a dominant performance in the Preliminary Stage in Malaysia this past August, where they topped Group A with a perfect record. During that campaign, the team secured victories over Rajshahi Stars, Rovers FC, and Sabah FA, scoring 20 goals while keeping three clean sheets.
Head coach
Rigorous Preparation and Squad Depth
To prepare for the physical demands of top-tier Asian football, the squad has engaged in a series of high-intensity training sessions and friendly matches against U-15 and U-17 boys' teams. Coach Andrews believes these exercises have been vital in helping his players adapt to the pace and intensity they expect to encounter against continental powerhouses.
The squad has been bolstered by strategic additions, including Indian internationals Rimpa Haldar and Thoibisana Chanu, as well as Japanese talent Hitomi Tanaka. The team also features a Ghanaian trio of Olivia Anokye, Adama Alhassan, and Abigail Antwi, with Anokye notably leading the scoring charts during the Preliminary Stage with five goals. Midfielder Sathi Debnath expressed the team's collective resolve to move past last year's narrow exit, noting that the familiarity of the Kishore Bharati Krirangan—a venue where she secured her first trophy—provides an extra layer of motivation for the players as they look to make history.
