East Bengal’s dream of reaching the AFC Champions League Two group stage ended. The Kolkata giants were handed a 2-3 loss by Turkmenistan side Altyn Asyr. And now with this loss, East Bengal will be playing in the AFC Challenge League. Only arch rivals, Mohun Bagan will be participating directly in the group stage of the tournament.
Altyn Asyr handed a humiliating 3-2 loss to the Kolkata giants. East Bengal took an early lead but failed to take charge of the game. Altyn scored 2 goals to head into the break. Come the second half, both teams scored a goal each, with East Bengal bowing out to Altyn Asyr’s tactical supremacy.
Altyn Asyr knock out East Bengal
Talk about a start! East Bengal established their dominance in the game from the very first minute of the game. And it was the young striker David who gave his side the early break. It took the Kolkata giants just 6 minutes to open the scoring. Nandhakumar Sekhar dribbled past the defenders on the left flank to lay off for David. The young striker fumbled but managed to slot the ball into the back of the net.
At the 18th minute mark, Altyn stunned the Yuba Bharati with a gem of a goal. A wonderful lobbed pass from Ahmet Atayev from inside his own half saw forward Myrat Annayev position him for shooting. Despite heckled by two East Bengal defenders, he slammed the ball into the top corner to a ball watching Prabhsukhan Gill.
The visitors struck yet again at the 28th minute. Sauvik gets a booking for a reckless foul. Up steped Nurmyradov Selim from around 25 yards out. A delicious freekick baffled Prabhsukhan who stood rooted to his spot.
East Bengal Aimed comeback
The hosts made two crucial changes at half time. On came Diamantakos and Jeakson Singh. But again it was the hosts who scored to make the scoreline 3-1 in their favour. Rahman lobed in a long cross to Myrat. The forward hit it hard at the goal only for Prabhsukan to save it. The ball deflects to the path of an unmarked Mihail Titov, who taped the ball back into the empty net.
East Bengal switched gears and a solo effort from Saul Crespo saw them reducing the deficit. The ace Spaniard dribbled past 4 defenders to slam a lovely finish as the crowed went berserk. But that was all. Cleiton almost scored the equaliser. The ball had crossed the net, but the referee pulled it back after the East Bengal skipper fouled the goalie. And with that East Bengal’s dream of playing the AFC Champions League Two turned to dust.
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