East Bengal vs FC Arkadag Highlights, AFC Challenge League 2024-25: EBFC loses first leg in quarterfinal
East Bengal vs FC Arkadag Highlights, AFC Challenge League 2024-25: EBFC loses first leg in quarterfinal
And East Bengal will travel to Turkmenistan trailing by a goal as Gurbanov’s first-half strike ensures a win for FC Arkadag in the first leg of this AFC Challenge League quarterfinal.
Great feint by Mahesh to cross a deep ball at the far post as Vishnu extends his right foot to lay the ball down for an oncoming Crespo, but Charyyev once again springs to action to collect the ball. Perhaps the final chance for the host to score.
Charyyev goes down clutching his thigh as medical assistance is provided to him. It might be a time-wasting tactic but East Bengal hasn’t given itself enough chances to get anything out of this game.
Final few opportunities for the host side to throw the kitchen sink at the game and try to get an equaliser.
Some pushing and shoving ensues after the referee pulls the play back after Messi Bouli seemingly fouled an opposition player. The crowd certainly left enraged as they protest in unison.
Rakip will come off for Nishu Kumar.
In the final 10 minutes or so in the game, Arkadag looks to be happy sitting back. Throughout the night, the East Bengal players have failed to even clear the first line of defence while launching balls in the final third.
And with that, Diamantakos comes off for Cleiton Silva.
Another cross into the box by East Bengal, another punch by Charyyev. The goalkeeper has been really good in coming off of his line on time and making these clearances with conviction.
Messi Bouli unleashes a curler from the left flank which fails to find any takers clad in Red and Gold. The block falls for substitute Vishnu, who skies it and sends it to the stands.
PV Vishnu has come on in place of Celis. Can he get the breakthrough for the Oscar Bruzon side?
East Bengal has at least two chances there to equalise. The ball falls for Crespo who runs into the ball and tries to pass it into the goal but a defender blocks. The rebound also falls kindly for the Spaniard but the EBFC skipper is already on his way down while attempting the shot.
New entrant to the pitch Ballakov gets a reaction from the partisan crowd after pulling Richard Celis down to the ground. No card for that from the referee.
Ballakov and Hydyrov come on for Arkadag.
Didar and Akmamedov make way.
Diamantakos shows strength to keep his markers at an arm’s length as the Greek forward wins a corner for his side.
A floated ball into the box finds skipper Bashimov, who tries to side-foot it perhaps for a player inside the box. But instead, the defender is able to direct it at goal as the looping attempt manages to beat a track-backing Gill and strikes the crossbar.
Hector Yuste comes flying in to challenge the goalscorer Gurbanov, who keeps rolling in pain on the field. A second after the tackle, the referee pulls it back and shows a yellow card to the East Bengal defender.
Gill comes out of of his line and but the Arkadag player’s touch gets the ball to slightly touch the ‘keeper’s arm. However, a replay shows the Indian custodian moving his arm away in that moment. Referee doesn’t show much interest in that.
The start of the move was good with a one-two between Rakip and Celis, but the former failed to play in a good ball inside the box. The cut back didn’t have enough venom behind it and was easily played to an opposition player.
Can East Bengal strike early in the second half of the first leg?
That’s all from this half as Gurbanov’s clinical strike keeps Arkadag ahead at the lemon break. From East Bengal, nothing fruitful has been shown by the forward line. Some changes at the break for the Oscar Bruzon side?
It seemed Messi Bouli would get East Bengal level but for a last moment block from an Arkadag defender keeps the visitor ahead just ahead of half-time. The home fans groan in unison, in despair.
Gill stands strong this time as he denies Gurbanov his second goal. The Arkadag player tries to head it down at the goal but the East Bengal ‘keeper saves it with his feet.
Gurbanov turning provider now as an inch-perfect cross finds Akmamedov, who has to extend his left leg to the fullest before getting a toe touch on the ball. The attempt could only ruffle the side netting, but good one nonetheless.
Back-to-back corner kicks for East Bengal but both were sub-par. The host continues to find for that one moment that gets the side going, something similar to Gurbanov’s strike in the first opening minutes.
Rakip trying to play it first time and sending it out of play perhaps sums up East Bengal’s performance so far. The attacking dominance and intent that was seen during the group stage is missing from the Indian side’s forward line. Is Madih Talal’s absence playing a role here?
Every time East Bengal charges forward with the ball, the home fans naturally increase their decibel. But, the side is yet to give its fans something concrete to celebrate. After the first half an hour, the Indian side is yet to register a shot on goal.
A little feint from Crespo in front of the dead ball as Mahesh takes a free-kick to send the ball into the box. Messi Bouli rises well and tries to head the ball home but Charyyev once does well to collect the ball.
Diamantakos blasts into the box from the right flank and tries to wiggle his way out but the defenders get the better of the Greek forward. The ball falls to a few more East Bengal players before going out for a corner. The set piece chance is not used to its fullest potential.
Charyyev, the Arkadag goalkeeper, is forced to dive forward and punch the ball away as Lalchungnunga whips in a cross in search of Dimitrios Diamantakos inside the box. More of this needed from the trailing side, its head coach Oscar Bruzon would hope.
East Bengal players are doing quite well in stitching up passes and playing a snazzy brand of football. However, outcomes are far too few so far in the opening 20 minutes or so.
From shooting distance, EBFC skipper Saul Crespo takes a measured run up to the ball and tries to use the in-step to curl it into the near corner, but fails to force the opposition ‘keeper into action.
Oh, no! Against the run of play, FC Arkadag takes the lead in a quick few moves! Gurbanov gets the ball right outside the box and uses the East Bengal defender as a shield to drill the ball into the left corner of the goal past a diving Prabhsukhan Gill.
Credit: Debasish Bhaduri/The Hindu
The Venezuelan footballer does well to track back and snatch the ball away with a swift interception and tries to go down the flank but the play is stopped after a foul on an East Bengal player. The host seeing more of the ball as of now.
A long throw from the right flank by Arkadag reaps nothing. East Bengal steals the ball and goes on attack with the likes of Richard Celis and Messi Bouli trying to combine. But no danger imposed on the opposition goal by the Red and Gold.
East Bengal is attacking from left to right and looks like, the Indian side will be having a high-press from the off.
While Oscar Bruzon has fielded five overseas players, FC Arkadag has fielded an all-Turkmenistan playing XI. Home fans have shown up at the Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata, displaying their Red and Gold banners and jerseys.
We are moments away from kick-off! Can East Bengal continue its momentum in Asia, despite a disappointing domestic display?
It was a Sunil Chhetri goal which did enough to dash East Bengal’s hopes of making it into the Indian Super League playoffs. With one game to go and placed eighth, even a win in its final league stage match will not be enough for East Bengal to make the knockouts.
Rasul (GK), Annagulyyev, Saparov, Bashimov, Mammedov, Hojayev, Beknazarov, Gurbanov, Durdiyev, Akmamedov, Tirkishov
Gill (GK), Rakip, Lalchungnunga, Yuste, Sauvik, Crespo, Jeakson, Mahesh, Celis, Diamantakos, Messi
The AFC Challenge League quarterfinal match between East Bengal and FC Arkadag will be streamed live on the Fancode platform. Moreover, you can stay tuned to Sportstar’s website and app for the latest updates from the match.
Welcome to the LIVE coverage of East Bengal’s AFC Challenge League quarterfinal match against FC Arkadag! After failing to qualify for the playoffs in the Indian Super League, Oscar Bruzon’s men will be hoping to continue their dream run in Asia.
