September 2 – The four final slots in the group stages of the inaugural AFC Women’s Champions League were decided at the weekend with the final four group games of the preliminary group stage.
All four groups hinged on the last matches that were effectively played as eliminators between the top two teams in each group.
In Group A Abu Dhabi Country Club (pictured) from the United Arab Emirates were surprise winners against Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr Club 1-0.
Second half substitute Rekha Poudel scored the decider in the 68th minute, slotting home the winning goal after Abu Dhabi keeper Jeane Da Cruz had launched a long ball to Eugenia Tetteh, who set up the finish.
Al Nassr Club who had dominated the group, were reduced to 10 players after top scorer Clara Luvanga was sent off with 15 minutes left on the clock.
Abu Dhabi will now take on Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC of China PR, Korea Republic’s Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC and Sabah FA of Malaysia in the group stage proper.
Sabah FA booked their group stage spot after defeating Uzbekistan’s PFC Nasaf 2-1, finishing just one point ahead of them in the group.
Odisha FC of India won Group B after defeating Jordan’s Etihad Club 2-1, finishing with a perfect record of six points.
Odisha will now meet Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies, Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC of Vietnam and Chinese Taipei’s Taichung Blue Whale Women’s Football in Group C.
Iran’s Bam Khatoon FC beat Kitchee SC of Hong Kong, China 2-0 to finish with a perfect record and will now be grouped with Australia’s Melbourne City, Kaya FC–Iloilo of the Philippines and College of Asian Scholars of Thailand.
The centralised group stage will be played on October 6 to 12. China PR, Thailand and Vietnam will host one group each.
The top two finishers of each group and the two best third-placed sides progress to the quarter-finals, to be played on March 22 and 23, 2025.
The quarter-finals will be played as single-leg knockouts, with the higher-ranked team being the home side.
The semi-finals and final – all single-leg ties – will be played from May 21 to 24, 2025 at a centralised venue.
Groups
Group A: Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC (CHN), Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC (KOR), Abu Dhabi Country Club (UAE), Sabah FA (MAS)
Group B: Melbourne City (AUS), Kaya FC–Iloilo (PHI), College of Asian Scholars (THA), Bam Khatoon FC (IRN)
Group C: Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies (JPN), Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC (VIE), Taichung Blue Whale Women’s Football (TPE), Odisha FC (IND)
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