East Bengal women off to winning start at AFC Women's Champions League

Players in action during the AFC Women's Champions League football match between East Bengal FC and Ho Chi Minh City WFC at Kishore Bharati Stadium, in Kolkata, West Bengal. (PTI Photo)

Kolkata: East Bengal women's team began their Mission Asia on a perfect note, defeating Vietnamese champions Ho Chi Minh City WFC 2-1 in their Group B opener of the AFC Women's Champions League here on Sunday.Ugandan striker Fazila Ikwaput was the chief architect of the hosts' win at Kishore Bharati Krirangan, scoring both goals in the first half and setting the Moshal Girls on track for a historic last-8 spot in the continent's premier women's club football. There were some nervy moments, especially when Ho Chi Minh City reduced the margin through Dau Nguyen Quynh Anh on the hour mark. However, there was a statement of intent in their performance and coach Anthony Andrews' no-nonsense approach to the game by starting with six foreigners paid off handsomely in the end.

The Indian football also got its first taste of a VAR-like system in the day's first match in which North Korean champions 4.25 Sports Club got the better of their South Korean rivals Hwacheon KSPO WFC 2-1. - Nilesh.Bhattacharya@timesofindia.com