Rajshahi Stars began their AFC Women’s Champions League campaign with a heavy 4-0 defeat against East Bengal in Malaysia on Monday, as defensive errors and a lack of midfield control left the Bangladesh Women’s Football League champions chasing the game from the outset.
The Indian side settled the contest before half-time at Likas Stadium. Ghanaian midfielder Olivia Anokye scored twice, while Astam Oraon and Soumya Guguloth added one each.
Rajshahi had planned to contain East Bengal’s foreign players. The strategy quickly unravelled, however, as Afeida Khandaker, Sheuli Azim and their defensive partners struggled to cope with the pressure. Monika Chakma and Maria Manda also failed to impose themselves in midfield, while Shamsunnahar Jr and Tohura Khatun found little room to threaten the East Bengal defence.
Anokye opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the ninth minute. East Bengal doubled their advantage in the 25th when Oraon controlled a long ball, ran beyond Shaheda Akter Ripa and calmly beat Rupna Chakma.
The third arrived 12 minutes later. Nepalese defender Bimala BK failed to clear a cross from the right, allowing Anokye to finish from close range.
Rupna, who helped Bangladesh win the last two SAFF Women’s Championships, could do little to prevent East Bengal from adding another after the break. Guguloth’s effort slipped through the goalkeeper’s hands in the 71st minute.
The result marks a difficult opening to Rajshahi’s first appearance in Asia’s premier women’s club competition. The club won all 10 matches in its debut Women’s Football League campaign and conceded no goals domestically before earning the continental opportunity.
Rajshahi must now recover quickly. They face Group A hosts Sabah FC on Thursday, with another match against Guam’s Rovers FC still to come.
