Hwacheon KSPO WFC revived their knockout stage hopes with a 4-1 win against East Bengal FC in their AFC Women’s Champions League 2026-27 Group B clash on Wednesday.
After a 1-1 stalemate in the first half, Hwacheon ran riot in the second half to walk away with the victory as they moved to three points, the same as East Bengal.
The deciding fixtures on Saturday will see Hwacheon face Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC of Vietnam while East Bengal have a tough task against DPR Korea’s 4.25 SC, who have already secured one of the two automatic qualification spots.
Early chances went Hwacheon’s way, Choi Jeong-min had a half-volley going wide before seeing a header saved by Elangbam Panthoi while forward Lee Su-bin turned Astam Oraon but fired over.
In the 15th minute, East Bengal captain Shilky Hemam sent Fazila Ikwaput through but the forward, who scored twice against Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC on Sunday, rushed her shot and sent it wide.
The Ugandan wasn’t going to miss twice, redeeming herself two minutes later when she bested Kim Ji-hyeon in a foot race to get to Oraon’s clearance before hitting a strike into the bottom corner.
Hwacheon weren’t behind for long, midfielder Lee Su-bin struck her initial free-kick in the 26th minute against the defensive wall but on her second attempt, the ball took a deflection off Resty Nanziri to roll past Panthoi for the equaliser.
There was a flurry of chances minutes into the second half with Hitomi Tanaka and Ikwaput sending efforts from range just wide before Jeong-min’s strike from the edge of the box was saved by Panthoi.
Hwacheon took the lead in the 53rd minute through Wie Jae-eun after Football Video Support request from head coach Kang Sun-mi following Jeong-min’s trip by Tanaka.
Buoyed by the goal, the East Asian side struck again three minutes later as Jeong-min broke free on the left and crossed for Mun Eun-ju to sweep home.
There was no stopping Hwacheon as they added another in the 76th minute with Wie running on to Kim Hyeon-a’s through ball to slot past Panthoi to seal an excellent win.
AFC Media
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