Picture BS News Agency.
Sanchita Chatterjee, BS News Agency, Kathmandu, 8 December 2025: East Bengal FC Women kicked off their campaign in the inaugural SAFF Women's Club Championship with a commanding 4-0 victory over Bhutan's Transport United Ladies FC at Kathmandu's Dashrath Stadium this afternoon.
The Indian Women's League winners, fresh off a resolute display in the AFC Women's Champions League group stage last month, where they missed out on a quarter-final berth, dominated proceedings from start to finish, showcasing clinical finishing and solid defending to secure all three points in their Group A opener.
The Red & Gold Women controlled possession and created several chances in the opening exchanges. Transport United, who entered the match on the back of a goalless draw against Pakistan's Karachi City FC in their tournament debut, struggled to match the intensity and struggled with the pace of EBFC's attacks.
The breakthrough came in the 36th minute when captain Fazila Ikwaput latched on to a precise cross from Soumya Guguloth from the right, shrugging off a rival defender before finding the back of the net with a flying header to make it 1-0.
The goal not only broke the deadlock, but also ignited East Bengal's rhythm, as they ended the first half with a series of probing runs down the flanks, before heading into the break with a 1-0 advantage.
The second half saw East Bengal return with more aggression. In the 59th minute, Sulanjana Raul doubled the lead with a composed finish inside the box off Ikwaput's assist. The goal shifted the momentum irrevocably as Transport United's players began to tire under the relentless pressure.
Just four minutes later, Resty Nanziri added a third, capitalizing on a brilliant low-driven cross from Ikwaput from the right.
The final goal of the game came in the 71st minute when Ikwaput completed her brace with a clinical strike off Raul's assist, rifling a low shot into the bottom corner after a swift counter-attack. The Ugandan forward's relentless threats and movement kept the Transport United team busy all afternoon, earning her the Player of the Match honours for her four goal contributions.
The second match of the day, between Karachi City FC (Pakistan) and Nasrin Sports Academy (Bangladesh) ended in a goalless draw.
EBFC Women and APF (Nepal) jointly occupy the top spot in the five-team tournament with 3 points each (Goal difference: 4). EBFC Women will next face Pakistan's Karachi City FC at the same venue on 11 December, Thursday.