Kathmandu: India’s Women’s I-League champions East Bengal FC claimed the inaugural SAFF Women’s Club Championship in emphatic fashion defeating hosts’ Nepal APF FC 3–0 in the final at Dasharath Stadium, Saturday.

East Bengal, the only unbeaten side in the five-team tournament, struck twice before halftime and maintained a perfect defensive record, finishing the competition without conceding a goal. They won four of their five matches, with the only blemish being a goalless draw against APF in the group stage.

Tournament top scorer Fazila Ikwaput netted twice in the final to take her tally to nine goals, while Silky Devi Hemam scored the other.

APF were largely undone by individual errors, conceding all three goals from defensive lapses. Defender Manmaya Damai’s struggles proved costly in the first two goals. Uganda international Ikwaput opened the scoring in the 21st minute after Manmaya failed to clear a lofted pass from Sarita Yumnam, allowing the striker to fire at the back on net.

East Bengal doubled their lead in the 35th minute, once again capitalising on a mistake by Manmaya, who was unable to deal with a short corner. Veteran Ashalata Devi seized possession and delivered a cross into the box, which Silky Devi Hemam converted to make it 2–0.

The Indian side put the result beyond doubt just 16 seconds into the second half. This time, goalkeeper Anjana Rana Magar allowed Ikwaput’s tame effort to slip through her grasp, sealing East Bengal’s historic triumph.