AFC Women’s Champions League: East Bengal suffers 1-4 defeat to Hwacheon KSPO, quarterfinal hopes still alive

East Bengal FC suffered a 1-4 defeat to South Korea’s Hwacheon KSPO in its AFC Women’s Champions League match. | Photo Credit: East Bengal FC/X

East Bengal FC squandered an early lead to suffer a 1-4 defeat against South Korea’s Hwacheon KSPO WFC in its AFC Women’s Champions League 2026-27 Group B match at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Wednesday.

Fazila Ikwaput put the Indian side ahead in the 17th minute, but Lee Su-bin equalised in the 26th before Wie Jae-eun struck twice (53rd and 76th), with Mun Eun-ju (56th) also scoring for Hwacheon.

The result left East Bengal third in the group with three points from two matches, level with second-placed Hwacheon. The Indian Women’s League champion had opened its campaign with a 2-1 victory over Ho Chi Minh City WFC.

Hwacheon made the brighter start, creating chances through Choi Jeong-min and Lee Su-bin, but East Bengal goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu Elangbam kept the visitors at bay.

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Ikwaput missed an opportunity after being released by captain Shilky Devi Hemam in the 15th minute, but made amends shortly afterwards. Racing onto Astam Oraon’s clearance, the Ugandan forward beat defender Kim Ji-hyeon and finished into the bottom corner.

The lead lasted nine minutes. Lee’s indirect free-kick initially struck the defensive wall before her follow-up deflected off Resty Nanziri and rolled into the net.

The match turned decisively after the break. Following a successful Football Video Support review for a foul by Hitomi Tanaka on Choi, Wie converted a penalty in the 53rd minute.

Three minutes later, Choi broke down the left and delivered a cross for Mun to finish from close range. Wie completed her brace in the 76th minute after running onto Kim Hyeon-a’s through ball.

East Bengal will conclude its group campaign against DPR Korea’s already-qualified 4.25 SC on Saturday. A draw would secure its quarterfinal place, while it could also progress as one of the two best third-placed teams.