Sabah FA spectacularly announced themselves at the AFC Women’s Champions League 2026/27 Preliminary Stage, demolishing Rovers FC 13-0 on Monday in a ruthless attacking display.
Bobby Gonzales’ side produced an overwhelming performance from the opening whistle, scoring five times before half-time before adding another eight goals after the break to complete one of the most emphatic victories of the preliminary stage.
The result keeps Sabah level with India’s East Bengal FC, who also opened their campaign with a convincing 4-0 victory over Bangladesh’s Rajshahi Stars FC.
Sabah will now face Rajshahi Stars on Thursday in their next crucial group match.
Sabah immediately took control and almost opened the scoring when Enzi Broussard unleashed a thunderous volley that goalkeeper Deseha Mendiola did well to keep out.
The breakthrough arrived in the 11th minute. Delainey Varela-Kein released Japan midfielder Ayuri Terawaki into space on the left, and with no defender able to close her down, Terawaki drove into the area before smashing an unstoppable finish into the bottom corner.
American forward Mai-Lisa Atis was the next to make her mark. She first struck the post from outside the penalty area before producing a sublime curling finish in the 24th minute to double Sabah’s advantage.
Rovers’ defence was now under almost continuous pressure. The woodwork saved the visitors on more than one occasion, but there was no stopping Atis in the 34th minute, when she reacted quickest to a close-range rebound.
Five minutes later, Broussard joined the scoring with a powerful downward header from another excellent Terawaki delivery.
Then, deep into first-half stoppage time, Atis completed her hat-trick to send Sabah into the break with a commanding 5-0 lead.
Rovers head coach Dominic Gadia attempted to change the course of the match at half-time, introducing forwards Cadance Mansapit and Mia Franquez.
But Sabah simply continued where they had left off.
In the 51st minute, Broussard received a short pass from Juliana Barek before calmly firing into the bottom corner.
Seven minutes later, the American forward completed her own hat-trick, rising to head home Justine’s cross.
Broussard was still not finished. Two minutes after the hour mark, the 25-year-old picked up a loose ball on the edge of the penalty area before smashing another effort into the bottom corner despite Mendiola’s best efforts.
Sabah had turned an impressive opening into a complete rout. Sabah refused to slow down even with the outcome already beyond doubt.
Atis scored again in the 66th and 80th minutes, taking her extraordinary personal tally to six goals.
Terawaki added two more goals, striking in the 70th minute and again in stoppage time at 90+2.
An Se-bin also joined the scoresheet in the 83rd minute. When the final whistle arrived, Sabah had scored 13 goals without reply.
The scale of the victory makes Sabah one of the early teams to watch in the AFC Women’s Champions League.
The Malaysian side combined relentless attacking pressure, excellent movement and ruthless finishing throughout the contest.
Atis and Broussard both completed hat-tricks, while Terawaki contributed three goals of her own and played a central role in Sabah’s attacking dominance.
The result also gives Sabah a potentially valuable advantage in the race for qualification, particularly with goal difference likely to play an important role.
Sabah’s next challenge comes on Thursday against Rajshahi Stars FC, who were beaten 4-0 by East Bengal in their opening fixture.
Credit Photo : AFC
