Gokulam Kerala Women’s Soccer Team will compete in AFC Women’s Club Championship in Uzbekistan from 23 Aug.

India Women’s Championship (IWL) champion Gokulam Kerala will open the AFC Women’s Club Championship against hosts Sogdiana-W in Qarshi, Uzbekistan on August 23.

The Kozhikode-based team will then face Iran’s Bam Khatoon FC in the next round-robin match on August 26.

Gokulam Kerala participated in the final edition of the continental pilot tournament last year and finished third in the four-team event.

Six clubs from Asia’s many member associations will participate in the open competition to be held for the first time in two regions. The competition for the East Zone – with three clubs competing – kicks off on August 15 in Chonburi, Thailand.

The Western Regional Competitions, which will also feature three clubs including Gokulam, will kick off at Markaziy Stadium in Qarshi, Uzbekistan on August 20 with a match between Sogdiana-W and Bam Khatoon FC.

The final of the tournament will be played between the top two teams of the East and the West on October 22, the same day as the AFC Cup title match.

In the East region, Chonburi in Thailand will host the home team Asia University, ISPE WFC from Myanmar and Taichung Blue Whale from Chinese Taipei.

AFC Women’s Club Championship – The pilot tournament is the preparation for the launch of the AFC Women’s Football Championship in 2024.