East Bengal face Gokulam Kerala in the IWL 2026-27 opener. (Instagram)
\n\nEast Bengal will aim for a third straight Indian Women's League title as they open the 2026-27 campaign against Gokulam Kerala in Kalyani on Friday, just six days after becoming the first Indian club to reach the AFC Women's Champions League quarterfinals.
\n\nGokulam, who are also three-time champions, are coming off a mid-table finish and are also eyeing the trophy.
\n\nEast Bengal defeated Ho Chi Minh City 2-1 in their AWCL opener, then lost 4-1 to South Korea's Hwacheon KSPO and 2-0 to North Korea's 4.25 SC, but went through as one of the two best third-placed teams. Head coach Anthony Andrews admitted the turnaround has been tight.
\n\n"It's been a very hectic campaign, a very tiring AFC campaign with a good intensity, good tempo," he said, while speaking to Sports Now in a media interaction organised by Capri Sports.
\n\n"We are just trying to recover; the players are getting as much rest as they can. The medical team and my staff are taking good care of them."
\n\nAndrews also understands that the continental performance has exposed gaps his side must close.
\n\n"There are a lot of things to…
Original source: https://www.timesnownews.com/sports
