Now Reading: East Bengal beat Al Arabi 4-1, reach AFC CL group stage
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East Bengal beat Al Arabi 4-1, reach AFC CL group stage
East Bengal staged a stunning second-half comeback to defeat Qatar's Al Arabi 4-1 in the AFC Champions League Two play-off on Thursday. The Indian Super League champions trailed 1-0 at halftime before…
The Story in Brief
East Bengal staged a stunning second-half comeback to defeat Qatar's Al Arabi 4-1 in the AFC Champions League Two play-off on Thursday. The Indian Super League champions trailed 1-0 at halftime before scoring four goals after the break. The victory ensures East Bengal's entry into the West Region group stage of the continent's second-tier club competition. This is their first campaign in the AFC Champions League Two after winning the ISL last season, their first top-flight title in 22 years.
The Indian Opinion
Some fans and commentators will now rush to declare Indian club football's arrival on the Asian stage after this comeback win. One win does not erase years of inconsistency in continental tournaments, nor does it mask the gap in squad depth and experience compared to West Asian sides. The real test for East Bengal will come in the group stage: can they sustain this intensity against tougher opposition over multiple matches? A single result is cause for celebration, not a verdict on the league's standing.
Source: ndtvprofit.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
