Rajshahi Stars Exit AFC Women's Champions League After Defeat

Rajshahi Stars have officially exited the AFC Women's Champions League following a disappointing run of results in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The side had earned a historic milestone by becoming the first women's club from Bangladesh to compete in the prestigious continental tournament, marking a significant chapter for the country's football development.

However, their campaign came to an end after suffering two consecutive defeats in the group stage. In their latest fixture held today, Rajshahi Stars faced Malaysian side Sabah FC in a hard-fought encounter. Despite their best efforts on the pitch, the Bangladeshi club ultimately fell short, dropping a 2-1 decision to their opponents.

This latest setback follows a difficult opening fixture in the competition. During their first match, Rajshahi Stars faced India's East Bengal, where they were defeated by a 3-0 margin. East Bengal has shown strong form in the tournament, highlighted by their emphatic twelve-goal victory over a club from Guam, and currently sit on six points from two victories.

The combination of these results has sealed the fate of the Rajshahi team, confirming their elimination from the tournament. Throughout the campaign, the squad—which featured players such as Afida Khandaker and Rupna Chakma under the guidance of coach Choton—battled formidable international competition on foreign soil.

Even though the tournament journey has concluded prematurely with zero points, the participation of Rajshahi Stars establishes a crucial precedent for future women's club football in Bangladesh. The experience gained in Kuala Lumpur against regional opponents like Sabah FC and East Bengal provides essential exposure at the highest level of Asian club football.