AFC Women's Champions League 2025-26: Fazila Ikwaput's winner powers East Bengal FC Women to a 1-0 win over hosts Phnom Penh Crown in their Preliminary Stage opener
BS News Agency, Phnom Penh, 25 August: East Bengal FC Women marked their AFC Women's Champions League debut with a gritty 1-0 victory over hosts Phnom Penh Crown FC in the Group E Preliminary Stage opener at Phnom Penh's National Sports Complex earlier this evening.
The Indian Women's League champions, making their continental debut, overcame their resilient Cambodian counterparts, thanks to a 70th minute-strike from two-time IWL Golden Boot winner and Ugandan national team vice-captain Fazila Ikwaput. The three points will be crucial for the Red & Gold women as they prepare for their final Preliminary Stage match against Hong Kong's Kitchee SC, scheduled to be held at the same venue on 31 August. Despite creating chances aplenty, EBFC Women couldn't break the deadlock in the first half.
Ikwaput, a key summer signing for EBFC Women, thought she had opened the scoring three minutes before half time, only for the goal to be disallowed.
The teams went into the break level at 0-0, with Phnom Penh Crown relying on counter-attacks and stout defending to maintain the pressure on EBFC Women.
The second half saw a completely different story though. The Red & Gold women ramped up the pressure, and their perseverance eventually paid off in the 70th minute when Ikwaput latched onto a well-timed pass from her compatriot Resty Nanziri and slotted home the decisive goal.
Phnom Penh Crown pushed for an equalizer throughout the remainder of the match, but the EBFC defense, anchored by full-backs Sarita Yumnam and Sushmita Lepcha, Nigerian centre-back Maureen T. Okpala and Ghanain centre-back Abena Anoma Opoku, held firm.
Late drama ensued in stoppage time when the Phnom Penh Crown goalkeeper Chea Fariya was given her marching orders for committing a reckless foul on an onrushing Ikwaput outside the box.
Reflecting on the win at the post-match press conference, EBFC Women's Head Coach Anthony Andrews said, "It was a tough match. Phnom Penh Crown did make things difficult for us. We created multiple chances in the first half, but we should have been more clinical. We started the second half with a more attacking approach, which helped us win. We are really grateful to the Indian Embassy in Cambodia for coming to the stadium and rallying behind our girls. That definitely gave us extra motivation."
Speaking about her debut EBFC goal, Ikwaput said, "I want to thank our technical team, the Head Coach and my teammates for putting in so much effort. We need more support from the Indians living in Cambodia during our final Preliminary Stage match on Sunday."