How East Bengal girls set on fire their Mission IWL
Times of India | 20 April 2025
12 Kolkata: Behind every woman's success, there can also be a man!
Amused, Anthony Andrews received the poser with a pregnant pause and then his voice rose excitedly. "Yea… you can say that. In fact, that's a nice way of describing my case here," the East Bengal women's football team coach remarked, his eyes radiant and relaxed in the cushioned embrace of another national league in his kitty.
As East Bengal FC women are basking in the glory of their maiden Indian Women's League title, Andrews' recipe for success seems to be getting more moreish with each season.
The 29-year-old has been there and done that — having helped Gokulam Kerala lift the IWL crown in back-to-back seasons (2021-22 & 2022-23). He has now given East Bengal their maiden shot at glory, lending further credence to his growing reputation as a man with the Midas touch.
"The belief, the connection and the bond we have with these players and knowing who will give what on a given day, that trust is always there and it makes the difference," Andrews told TOI during an exclusive chat, when asked how he managed to sail the boat for East Bengal.
"On my very first day here at the East Bengal ground, I told the players that we would be the changer and the fans will help us make that change. Challenges are always there and every day is not the same. Every day you're not going to win. But the hunger and dedication shown by the players since that first day is the benefit of what we are getting now," Andrews remarked.
"This is a special one. Amazing — in one word."
Bringing the 29-year-old Andrews on board had been central to the Moshal Girls management's idea of making a mark in women's football since their debut in the national league in the 2023 edition when the entire competition was held in Ahmedabad. The IWL debut turned out to be a reality check for East Bengal, who were humbled 2-8 by Andrews' eventual champions Gokulam in the very first match.
"We watched Anthony's work methods closely in Ahmedabad and realized that he could be the right man to foster our ambitions," recalled senior East Bengal official Dipten Bose, who has been with the club's women's football team for quite some time. "When his contract with Gokulam got over, we went all out to hire him as the coach," he added.
East Bengal's Mission IWL quickly received a financial boost from then sponsors Shrachi Sports. So along with Andrews came a host of IWL winners from Gokulam Kerala stable at the start of the 2024-25 season — like Ghanaian forward Elshaddai Acheampong, India striker Soumya Guguloth and veteran defender Ashalata Devi, the first Indian woman footballer to play 100 internationals.
The Emami Group stepped in to keep the project floating when there was uncertainty over sponsorship.
The result? Having finished sixth in the 7-team table last year, the Moshal Girls lifted the trophy winning 12 of their 14 matches. Elshaddai and Soumya finished the league with 10 and 9 goals respectively as the team scored a whopping 38 goals. The Ashalata-led defence, ably supported by goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu — who joined the side after becoming the first Indian to play professional football in Australia — came up with 7 clean sheets, the most in the league this term.
"Having played together in the past has certainly helped us get along nicely here at East Bengal," Elshaddai told TOI.
"We've developed certain understanding between us, knowing where I should move when the ball is with Elsha and when she is going to release it," Soumya chipped in.
Andrews indicated that there might be some reinforcements in the side given that the Moshal Girls have now qualified for the preliminary stage of the AFC Women's Champions League.
However, amid the euphoria came a note of concern from the veteran Ashalata.
"Indian women's football badly needs more attention and respect from corporates and other stakeholders. Our success will be more meaningful if it gives us the belief that there is a whole-hearted support to promote women's football," the India defender pointed out.