Kota Kinabalu: East Bengal FC staved off Sabah FA to clinch a 2-0 win which earned the Indian side a place in the AFC Women’s Champions League 2026-27 Group Stage on Sunday.
Second half goals from Olivia Anokye and Soumya Guguloth settled a keenly-fought contest at Likas Stadium with East Bengal finishing top of Group A with maximum points.
With so much at stake, the game endured a nervy start before Sabah started creating chances with Misaki Nakayama’s half-volley sailing over in the 21st minute.
Two minutes later, the hosts spurned a great chance to take the lead after Mai-Lisa Atis produced a first-time cross from the right to an unmarked Enzi Broussard, who unfortunately scuffed her attempt with only Elangbam Panthoi to beat.
East Bengal were finding it hard to play through the Sabah defence marshalled by Steffi Sarge Singh and were limited to crossing from wide positions – in particular through Adama Alhassan – but goalkeeper Asma Junaidi was consistent with her fielding of the ball.
It was a more even affair in the second half with Juliana Barek slaloming her way into the box on the right but could only place her attempted chip on the roof of the net.
Junaidi was made to work for the first time in the 55th minute as Guguloth broke down the right flank and crossed for Sulanjana Raul who powered a header which the Sabah custodian turned away.
East Bengal were building momentum and Anokye was next to have an opening, running away from Steffi and was only prevented by a brave Junaidi block.
Anokye, however, wasn’t to be denied in the 67th minute as she latched onto Raul’s through pass and bested Siti Nurfaizah for pace before knocking the ball past Junaidi at the second attempt.
East Bengal made sure of the win in the 87th minute, substitute Rimpa Haldar crossing for the oncoming Guguloth to rifle the ball home.
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