East Bengal edge Phnom Penh Crown, Ikwaput strikes late to keep AFC Women’s Champions League hopes alive

Phnom Penh, Cambodia — August 25, 2025

East Bengal Women’s FC recorded a historic win in their AFC Women’s Champions League campaign, defeating Phnom Penh Crown 1–0 on Monday evening. Ugandan striker Fazila Ikwaput emerged as the match-winner, scoring in the 70th minute to hand the East Bengal Girls a vital three points and the top spot in Group E.

The clash was a tightly fought contest from the outset, with both sides showing resilience in midfield but struggling to create clear-cut chances in the final third. Playing in humid Cambodian conditions, East Bengal looked to build patiently from the back, while the home side relied on quick counter-attacks to test the Kolkata team’s defensive shape.

After a goalless first half where chances were limited, head coach Anthony Andrews urged his side to play with greater attacking intensity. The breakthrough finally arrived midway through the second half. Resty Nanziri, East Bengal’s creative midfielder, threaded a clever ball into the box that split the Phnom Penh defence. Ikwaput timed her run perfectly, received the pass, and calmly slotted past the advancing goalkeeper — a finish that underlined her composure and pedigree.

The goal not only gave East Bengal the lead but also shifted the momentum of the contest. Phnom Penh Crown pressed hard in the final 15 minutes in search of an equaliser, but the East Bengal defence, marshalled by skipper Aditi Chauhan in goal and centre-back Ashalata Devi, stood firm to secure a clean sheet and a crucial victory.

For Fazila Ikwaput, the strike was a continuation of her rich legacy in Indian women’s football. The Ugandan international, a two-time Golden Boot winner in the Indian Women’s League (IWL), joined East Bengal earlier this summer after a decorated stint with Gokulam Kerala. At GKFC, she replaced Sabitra Bhandari and helped the Malabarians finish as runners-up in back-to-back league campaigns. Reuniting with coach Andrews at East Bengal has clearly reignited their winning chemistry.

“This goal means a lot, not just for me but for the team. We worked hard for this win and we’re proud to make our fans back home happy,” said Ikwaput after the match.

The result places East Bengal in pole position in Group E, which also features Kitchee SC of Hong Kong, China. The Kolkata side will now play their final group-stage match against Kitchee on August 31, a fixture that will decide who advances to the knockout stage of the prestigious continental tournament.

For East Bengal, who only recently established their women’s team and already lifted the Indian Women’s League (IWL) title, this victory marks another milestone in their journey of establishing themselves among Asia’s elite clubs.