# East Bengal Beat Al Arabi 4-1, Enter ACL Two Group Stage 2026-08-12T22:06:16+00:00 | Sports | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 2 independent outlets East Bengal completed a stunning comeback to defeat Kuwait's Al Arabi 4-1 and qualify for the AFC Champions League Two group stage. The Indian Super League champions, who won their first top-flight title in 22 years last season, will now enter the West Region group stage of the continent's second-tier club competition. The match at Salt Lake Stadium saw East Bengal overcome defensive concerns, with Spanish centre-back Nacho Monsalve injured and Lalchungnunga suspended. The victor of this preliminary knockout match advanced to the group league stage. Al Arabi, Kuwaiti league runners-up, had spent over a month preparing in Turkiye. ## Coverage - ndtvprofit.com - thehindu.com Tags: AFC Champions League Two, Al-Arabi, comeback, East Bengal, Indian football, ISL Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/east-bengal-beat-al-arabi-4-1-reach-afc-cl-group-stage/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/east-bengal-beat-al-arabi-4-1-reach-afc-cl-group-stage/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.