East Bengal held 2-2 by Al-Hussein in ACL Two opener; Habas faces selection and tactical questions
East Bengal drew 2-2 with Al-Hussein in their opening match of the 2026-27 AFC Champions League Two group stages on Wednesday, 16 September, 2026, playing away. Antonio Habas’ side led 2-0 at half-time through goals from Dani Ramirez and Anwar Ali but conceded two second-half strikes to finish level.
The Torchbearers produced an inspired start to the match, building a two-goal lead inside the first half via Ramirez and Anwar. After the break Al-Hussein increased the intensity and East Bengal were unable to withstand sustained pressure, allowing the hosts to salvage a point. While taking a point from an away ACL Two fixture is useful, the result and the manner of the comeback were situations that appeared unlikely to satisfy Habas. The performance offered the coach a clear view of his side’s current strengths and weaknesses at the continental level.
Al-Hussein repeatedly exploited space down the flanks, causing problems for East Bengal’s wide defenders throughout the game. Hardik Bhatt committed an error that led to Mahmoud Al-Mardi’s equaliser, and Sandeep Mandi did not track Ahmad Assaf’s run that produced the other goal. Despite those vulnerabilities, many of Al-Hussein’s crosses were stopped by centre-backs Anwar Ali and Diego Zivulic.
The analysis suggested Habas must demand better defensive cover from his wide players, urging wingers to track back to support full-backs. With wingers doubling up on opponents and covering wide areas, full-backs would receive more protection and the centre-backs could be freer to attempt tackles and interceptions to regain possession. Without that auxiliary coverage the report warned full-backs will remain exposed to repeated pressure and costly errors.
East Bengal’s midfield began the match by pressing well and progressing the ball quickly, but that energy dropped as the game progressed. The Red & Gold Brigade retreated and allowed the hosts to control possession and operate inside East Bengal’s half. The piece called for greater reactivity from midfielders Mohammed Rashid, Jeakson Singh and Dani Ramirez to close down space and prevent opponents from advancing the ball unchallenged.
A clear missed chance late in the first half underscored East Bengal’s issues in front of goal: Jay Gupta’s pass found Edmund Lalrindika with only the goalkeeper to beat, yet Lalrindika powered the attempt over the bar. The team also wasted further counter-attacking opportunities in the second half through poor final passes and weak finishing. The recommendation was for Habas to prioritise training on composure and clinical finishing from swift transitions so the side can convert breakaway chances more reliably.
Before East Bengal’s next AFC Champions League Two fixture, the coach faces decisions on how to strengthen protection for the full-backs, demand increased midfield pressure, and improve his forwards’ efficiency in transition to secure more consistent results in the group stage.