Reigning Indian Super League champions East Bengal face their biggest test of the new season when they take on Kuwaiti league runners-up Al Arabi SC in a one-off AFC Champions League Two preliminary-stage knock-out fixture here on Wednesday, with a place in the group stage at stake.It will be a single-leg qualifier in the West Region, with FC Goa facing Turkmenistan outfit FK Arkadag away in the other preliminary-stage tie on Wednesday.The winners of the two matches will join Bahrain's Al-Khaldiya and Oman's Al-Nahda in Pot 4 for the group-stage draw, which will be held in Kuala Lumpur on August 18.The West Region group stage will comprise 16 teams split across four pots, while the East Region will have another 16 teams in four pots, with the draw determining the group-stage fixtures.For East Bengal, who endured a 0-1 loss to arch-rivals Mohun Bagan in the Durand Cup opener, the continental challenge comes after the euphoria of a historic ISL triumph has subsided.The Red-and-Gold Brigade ended a 22-year wait for a National top-flight title when they beat Inter Kashi 2-1 in the ISL 2025-26 final at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan on May 21.It was their first ISL title since making their debut in the competition in 2020-21 and their first National League crown since the 2003-04 season, when the top tier was known as the National Football League.But much water has flown under the Hooghly since that memorable night.The club have parted ways with sponsors Emami, while title-winning coach Oscar Bruzon has also left.In his place is the vastly experienced Antonio Lopez Habas, who now faces an immediate continental examination with a squad still adjusting to a new regime.Depleted foreign lineupEast Bengal will also be without an important defensive option. Spanish centre-back Nacho Monsalve has suffered a knee injury and is…
This report has been adapted by the PurePlay Sports Desk from coverage by The Hindu Sportstar, The Bridge.