East Bengal faces Al Arabi test in ACL Two qualifier East Bengal FC, the defending Indian Super League champions, will take on Kuwaiti league runners-up Al Arabi SC in a crucial AFC Champions League Two preliminary-stage knockout match at the Salt Lake Stadium on Wednesday. The winner of this tie will advance to the group league stage of the competition, marking a significant opportunity for the Kolkata-based club to make its mark on the continental stage. This encounter represents East Bengal’s return to the AFC Champions League Two after their participation in the AFC Challenge League during the 2024-25 season. The club previously lost the ACL Two qualifying tie to Turkmenistan’s Altyn Asyr after securing a spot as the Super Cup winner. This time, East Bengal has qualified through its dominance in the Indian Super League, and the team is determined to capitalize on the chance to progress further in the tournament. The match will be coached by Spanish tactician Antonio Lopez Habas, who has replaced Oscar Bruzon, the former manager who led the club to its first top-flight league title in 22 years. Habas, an experienced coach, has brought a new tactical approach to the team, which has also seen a revamp of its foreign contingent. Spanish midfielder Dani Ramirez and Australian midfielder Chris Ikonomidis are among the available players, alongside retained Palestinian playmaker Basim Rashid. However, East Bengal faces defensive challenges ahead of the match. Spanish centre-back Nacho Monsalve is sidelined with a knee injury, while the other experienced defender Lalchungnunga is suspended following a red card received during last year’s AFC Challenge League quarterfinal against FC Arkadag.#east_bengal_fc #al_arabi_sc #antonio_lopez_habas #lalchungnunga #zaid_qunbar
