East Bengal FC secured a 3-1 victory over Bam Khatoon FC in their Group B opener of the AFC Women’s Champions League 2025-26 on Monday. The Indian side dominated the match with goals from Shilky Hemam, Fazila Ikwaput, and Resty Nanziri. Bam Khatoon managed a late first-half penalty through Mona Hamoudi.
East Bengal FC started strongly, taking the lead in the fourth minute when Shilky Hemam fired a low shot into the bottom right corner after two blocked attempts by Fazila Ikwaput. The Indian team controlled the tempo in the first half, restricting Bam Khatoon to long-range efforts from Sara Didar and Fatemeh Geraeli.
East Bengal doubled their advantage in the 32nd minute through a well-worked move, with Amnah Nababi delivering a through ball to Ikwaput, who slotted past goalkeeper Raha Yazdani. Three minutes later, Soumya Guguloth set up Resty Nanziri inside the box, but the Ugandan midfielder's effort sailed over the bar. Bam Khatoon barely threatened, with Geraeli's tame shot from distance testing East Bengal keeper Elangbam Panthoi Chanu in the 39th minute.
In first-half stoppage time, Jyoti Chouhan's handball led to a penalty, which Mona Hamoudi converted to pull one back for the Iranian side.
After the break, Bam Khatoon showed more intent, with Fatemeh Pasandideh testing Panthoi from outside the area and Geraeli's free-kick sailing over the bar at the hour mark. However, East Bengal sealed the win in the 63rd minute when Nanziri launched a spectacular long-range effort that bent over Yazdani into the net.
The result gives East Bengal a strong start in Group B of the tournament.