East Bengal’s campaign ends with a 3-0 defeat to Nasaf
The AFC Women’s Champions League 2025-26 group stage concluded for East Bengal as they were edged out 3-0 by Uzbekistan’s PFC Nasaf. The match, played at the Hankou Culture Sports Centre in Wuhan, China, marked the end of a challenging Group B campaign for the Indian club. Despite moments of resilience, East Bengal could not find a breakthrough against a Nasaf side that took its chances clinically.
Match overview and key moments
From the opening minutes, Nasaf applied pressure, leveraging quick transitions and set-piece quality to keep East Bengal on the back foot. The first goal arrived midway through the first half, a well-worked finish that showcased Nasaf’s understanding of space in the final third. East Bengal briefly steadied the ship, but Nasaf regained momentum after the interval, extending their advantage with two more goals in the second half.
East Bengal’s defense faced a stern test, routinely confronted with pace on the flanks and smart runs between the lines. While the defending remained largely organized, the quality in Nasaf’s finishing punished any lapses, and the Indian side were unable to convert chances of their own into meaningful goals. The final whistle confirmed Nasaf’s 3-0 victory and eliminated East Bengal from the group stage.
What this means for East Bengal
For East Bengal, the result closes a competitive but ultimately inconclusive chapter in their AFC Women’s Champions League 2025-26 journey. The team showed moments of technical aptitude and teamwork, yet consistency in attack and defensive solidity against higher-calibre opposition proved difficult to sustain across three group fixtures. Finishing the group with zero points would typically prompt reflection on squad depth, preparation, and the player development paths being pursued ahead of future editions of the competition.
Coach and players will point to the experience gained as valuable in growing Indian women’s football on a continental stage. The AFC Women’s Champions League format often places a premium on the ability to manage pressure, exploit space, and convert chances, all of which Nasaf demonstrated in Wuhan. East Bengal will be aiming to translate these insights into improved performances in domestic leagues and in potential AFC Women’s Champions League campaigns in the years ahead.
Nasaf’s performance and implications for Group B
Nasaf’s 3-0 win underlined why the Uzbek side have been considered strong contenders in Group B. Their cohesion, pressing intensity, and execution in forward areas created a clear gap between them and their group rivals. This victory not only secured Nasaf’s progression but also provided a blueprint for how teams from emerging footballing nations can compete at continental levels through structured play and smart game management.
For fans watching from India and across Asia, Nasaf’s performance in Wuhan was a reminder of the growth trajectory for women’s club football in the region. The league format remains a critical platform for scouting, development, and the elevation of domestic leagues, as clubs seek to translate continental exposure into tangible improvements back home.
Looking ahead
As East Bengal looks to recalibrate, attention will turn to strengthening the squad, expanding talent pipelines, and building a more robust tactical identity that can withstand the demands of future AFC Women’s Champions League campaigns. The competition’s evolving landscape continues to push clubs to invest in youth development, coaching education, and professional structures that support long-term success on both domestic and continental fronts.
