East Bengal and Al-Hussein draw 2-2 in AFC Champions League Two opener in Amman
East Bengal FC and Al-Hussein played to a 2-2 draw at the Amman International Stadium on 16 September 2026 in their AFC Champions League Two opener. The match produced a dominant first half from the visitors and a strong comeback by the hosts after halftime.
East Bengal began brightly in a vibrant atmosphere at the Amman International Stadium, controlling possession early through the midfield pairing of MD. Basin Rashid and Jeakson, with Anwar Ali and Diego Živulić providing links between zones in the first 20 minutes. The club’s early pressure yielded two first-half goals from Dani Ramirez and Anwar Ali. FT | Well fought, boys ✊Plenty of takeaways from the game 🔴🟡#JoyEastBengal #ACLTwo #EBFCInAsia pic.twitter.com/ACjeHJA5Hs
The opener arrived in the 9th minute when MD. Basin Rashid lobbed the ball toward Edmund Lalrindika on the right; Lalrindika’s shot produced a rebound that Dani Ramirez converted. East Bengal maintained control for much of the first half following that goal.
Al-Hussein threatened in the 18th minute when Pedro Alves Santana’s shot was saved by Prabhsukhan Singh Gill, and Sameer Obaid later failed to convert a headed chance. East Bengal doubled their lead in the 40th minute as Anwar Ali scored from an assist credited to Dani Ramirez.
The second half saw Al-Hussein dominate possession and passing, creating numerous openings as they searched for a way back into the game. Antonio Lopez Habas introduced Bipin Singh in the 58th minute, with Bipin replacing Asif Khan.
Al-Hussein reduced the deficit in the 62nd minute when captain Almardi finished after a loose ball following a misjudgement by Hardik Bhatt on the left; Kharouba won the loose ball and fed Almardi for the finish. Hardik Bhatt was substituted and Narender Gahlot was brought on in the 66th minute. East Bengal then made three changes, sending on Rohit Danu, David Himar and Raynier Fernandes for Jay Gupta, Dani Ramirez and Edmund Lalrindika.
Assaf, who had come off the bench, scored the equaliser in the 87th minute to complete Al-Hussein’s comeback and secure a 2-2 finish in a match described in the report as a two-half contest. Both East Bengal FC and Al-Hussein sit atop the group with one point each, and East Bengal will next host Al-Shorta at Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata on 13 October, 2026 at 19:15 IST.