Defending ISL champion East Bengal FC faces Kuwaiti league runner-up Al Arabi SC in a crucial AFC Champions League Two preliminary knockout match on Wednesday.
Defending Indian Super League champion East Bengal FC faces a tough continental test when it meets Kuwaiti league runner-up Al Arabi SC in an AFC Champions League Two preliminary-stage knockout match at the Salt Lake Stadium on Wednesday. The victor of the single-leg match will advance to the ACL Two group league stage.
East Bengal returns to continental action after featuring in the AFC Challenge League in the 2024-25 season, having previously lost an ACL Two qualifying tie to Turkmenistan’s Altyn Asyr. The Kolkata giant earned its place this time after winning India’s top league—its first top-flight league title in 22 years—under former coach Oscar Bruzon. The club now begins its new season under experienced Spanish head coach Antonio Lopez Habas.
The club has revamped its foreign contingent while retaining Palestinian playmaker Basim Rashid, with Spanish midfielder Dani Ramirez and Australian midfielder Chris Ikonomidis available for selection. However, Habas faces major defensive concerns: Spanish centre-back Nacho Monsalve is out with a knee injury, while defender Lalchungnunga is suspended following a red card against FC Arkadag in last year’s AFC Challenge League quarterfinal. As a result, Habas could be forced to field an all-Indian defence led by Anwar Ali.
Al Arabi enters the match boasting significant attacking quality after spending over a month preparing in Turkiye. Their key threats include Palestinian Zaid Qunbar, Brazilian Lucas Shallon, and Nigerian Anayo Iwuala.
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Football. Photo courtesy The Hindu Football.