East Bengal FC Crash Out of AFC Champions League After Defeat to Altyn Asyr FC

East Bengal FC Crash Out of AFC Champions League After Defeat to Altyn Asyr FC

East Bengal FC’s AFC Champions League campaign came to an abrupt end on Wednesday as they succumbed to a 2-3 defeat against Turkmenistan’s Altyn Asyr FC in the AFC Champions League Two Preliminary Stage in Kolkata. The Kolkata giants will now compete in the AFC Challenge League Group Stage.

Despite a promising start, East Bengal found themselves trailing 2-1 at halftime. Altyn Asyr FC, fielding a team without any foreign players, equalized through Myrat Annayev’s volley in the 17th minute. Nurmyradov Selim’s free-kick gave the visitors the lead 11 minutes later.

East Bengal’s hopes of a comeback were further dented when Mihail Titov extended Altyn Asyr FC’s lead to 3-1 in the second half. Saul Crespo pulled one back for the hosts in the 59th minute, but it proved to be a mere consolation.

East Bengal’s early exit from the AFC Champions League is a disappointment for the club and its fans. The Kolkata giants had hoped to make a deep run in the competition, but they were ultimately outplayed by a determined Altyn Asyr FC side.

Altyn Asyr FC, on the other hand, will be delighted with their victory. The Turkmen champions showed great resilience and quality to overcome East Bengal’s early lead and secure a place in the next round of the AFC Champions League.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant Thrash Indian Air Force 6-0 in Durand Cup

Mohun Bagan Super Giant Thrash Indian Air Force 6-0 in Durand Cup

Mohun Bagan Super Giant, under the guidance of Spanish head coach Jose Molina, unleashed their attacking prowess in their second outing of the 133rd Durand Cup, crushing the Indian Air Force team by a resounding 6-0 margin at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. This emphatic victory propelled Mohun Bagan to the top of Group A standings, surpassing their arch-rivals Emami East Bengal.

The match marked the first time in the new season that Mohun Bagan fielded a significant portion of its first team. Australian forward Jason Cummings emerged as the star of the show, netting a brace in the 4th and 76th minutes. The other goals came from Anirudh Thapa (65′), Liston Colaco (38′), Tom Aldred (10′), and Greg Stewart (90+1′).

Mohun Bagan’s dominance was evident from the outset, as they controlled possession and created numerous scoring opportunities. Cummings opened the scoring early on, capitalizing on a defensive lapse by the Air Force. Aldred doubled the lead with a powerful header from a corner kick. Colaco extended the advantage before halftime with a clinical finish.

In the second half, Mohun Bagan continued to press forward, with Thapa adding to the tally with a well-taken goal. Cummings sealed the victory with his second strike, while Stewart put the icing on the cake in stoppage time.

The result sets up an intriguing clash between Mohun Bagan and Emami East Bengal on August 18, which will determine the final group positions and the candidate for the quarterfinals.

Kolkata Favored as Venue for India's Crucial World Cup Qualifier

Kolkata Favored as Venue for India’s Crucial World Cup Qualifier

Igor Stimac, India’s head coach, has expressed his preference for Kolkata as the venue for the crucial World Cup qualifier against Kuwait on June 6. Stimac believes that the city’s passionate football atmosphere would provide a significant advantage for the Indian team.

The Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata has a capacity of over 66,000, and Stimac is eager to utilize the potential of a large and enthusiastic crowd to boost India’s chances of securing a berth in the third round of the 2026 qualifiers. A victory or draw against Kuwait would mark a historic achievement for India, as it would be their first-ever progression to the third round.

Stimac’s preference for Kolkata aligns with the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) policy of prioritizing the head coach’s recommendations for national team matters. AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey has emphasized that Stimac’s suggestions will be paramount in decision-making.

While Kolkata remains the frontrunner, Hyderabad and a venue in Maharashtra are also in contention to host the match. However, Stimac has indicated that he would prefer to explore new venues only after India qualifies for the third round.

In the event that Kolkata is unable to host the game, Stimac has identified Bengaluru as an alternative venue. India recently triumphed in the SAFF Championship in Bengaluru, and Stimac believes that the city’s positive football environment would be beneficial for the team.

Stimac has also announced a long list of 35 probables for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Afghanistan on March 21 and 26. The list includes several new faces, such as Amey Ranawade, Imran Khan, Isak Vanlalruatfela, and Jay Gupta.

The probables list will be pruned after the Indian Super League pauses for the international break on March 14. Stimac has stated that he may consider adding new players to the squad for the June qualifiers, which include an away game against Qatar.

Stimac emphasized that the rebuilding process for the Indian team will begin after the 2024 Asian Cup. He believes that it is crucial to maintain continuity with the players who have been part of the squad for the past four years.

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