Kota Kinabalu, Aug. 23 -- East Bengal FC staved off Sabah FA (Malaysia) to clinch a 2-0 win and earn a place in the AFC Women's Champions League 2026-27 Group Stage at the Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, on Sunday, according to the AIFF.

Second-half goals from Olivia Anokye and Soumya Guguloth settled a keenly fought contest, with East Bengal finishing top of Group A with maximum points. The IWL champions had earlier beaten Rajshahi Stars FC (Bangladesh) 4-0 and Rovers FC (Guam) 12-0, and have become the first Indian club to make back-to-back appearances in the AFC Women's Champions League Group Stage.

With so much at stake, the game endured a nervy start before Sabah started creating chances with Misaki Nakayama's half-volley...