East Bengal 4-1 extra-time win over Al-Arabi SC Salt Lake Stadium Kolkata; progressed to AFC Champions League Two group stage

East Bengal complete stunning comeback to enter AFC Champions League Two 2026-27 group stage

FC Goa lost their preliminary stage outing against Turkmenistan’s FK Arkadag and will now compete in the AFC Challenge League - Asia’s third-tier football club competition

East Bengal booked their place in the AFC Champions League Two 2026-27 group stage with a 4-1 extra-time win over Al-Arabi SC, while FC Goa were relegated to the AFC Challenge League after a 3-0 loss to FK Arkadag in their preliminary tie on Wednesday.

The Red and Gold Brigade completed a comeback at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, with Jay Gupta (90’), Mohammed Rashid (118’), David Hmar (127’) and Rohit Danu (130+1’) finding the net after Anayo Iwuala had put the Kuwaiti side ahead in the 76th minute.

East Bengal, who entered the preliminary stage as the Indian Super League champions, were made to chase the game after a goalless first half. Sandip Mandi conceded a penalty after being penalised for tugging an opposition player’s shirt inside the box.

Iwuala made no mistake from the spot, sending a low and powerful effort into the bottom-left corner as East Bengal goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Singh Gill guessed correctly but could not keep out the well-struck penalty.

However, Jay Gupta came to their rescue in the 90th minute by rising highest to meet Rashid’s free-kick and power his header into the top-left corner. The Al-Arabi goalkeeper got a slight touch but could not prevent the ball from finding the net, sending the contest into extra time.

East Bengal completed the turnaround three minutes into the second half of extra time when Mohammed Rashid produced a half-volley from the edge of the box to find the back of the net.

Substitute David Hmar and Rohit Danu then put the result beyond doubt in the closing stages to ensure East Bengal progressed to the AFC Champions League Two group stage.

FC Goa, meanwhile, saw their continental campaign take a different turn as they dropped into the AFC Challenge League, Asia’s third-tier football club competition, after losing to Turkmenistan’s FK Arkadag at the Arkadag Stadium.

The Gaurs, who earned their preliminary-stage berth as AIFF Super Cup champions, were level at half-time before conceding thrice after the break to bring their AFC Champions League Two campaign to an end.

Meylis Dinyiew (62’), Rahman Myratberdiyev (65’) and Arzuvguly Sapargulyyev (75’) scored for FK Arkadag.

Picture by All India Football Federation

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