East Bengal recover to beat Al-Arabi SC 4-1 at home to reach AFC Champions League Two Main Round

East Bengal came from behind to defeat Al-Arabi SC 4-1 at home in an AFC Champions League Two qualifying match on August 12, 2026, booking a place in the competition’s Main Round. The Red & Gold overturned a deficit after conceding a penalty goal and scored four times through Jay Gupta, MD Basim Rashid, David Himar and Rohit Danu.

East Bengal’s win secured their berth in the AFC Champions League Two main phase following a late comeback that featured a long-range contribution from MD Basim Rashid and finishes from David Himar and Rohit Danu. The match was described in the report as a strong home display from the hosts, and the article recalled East Bengal’s 6-2 comeback against Al-Zawra in the 1993–94 Asian Cup Winners’ Cup at the Salt Lake Stadium, where Carlton Chapman scored a hat-trick and Akil Ansari, Sisir Ghosh and Kumaresh Bhawal also found the net.

The hosts dominated the early play in front of their supporters, pressing high and controlling possession. MD Basim Rashid tested the visitors’ goalkeeper Sulaiman Abdulghafoor with a long-range effort in the sixth minute that was saved, while Edmund and Jesin Tk remained influential in and around the zone 14. Al-Arabi’s Al Marshed had an attempt that was kept out by Gill.

East Bengal created clear openings in the first 55 minutes but failed to convert several opportunities. At the 23rd minute Gill produced a goal-line save to deny Maleko’s best chance; Al-Arabi then generated further opportunities through Iwuala and Maleko around the 40th and 44th minutes, including a Y. Majed cross that found Maleko in the box but resulted in a misdirected header. In the 50th minute Jesin TK set up Bipin Singh, who missed from the D-box. Dani Ramirez was replaced by PV Vishnu, and Chris Ikonomidis was also introduced while Jesin TK came off.

The match turned when Sandip Mandi fouled Maleko inside the area, conceding a penalty at the 74th minute; Iwuala converted from the spot at the 76th minute to put Al-Arabi ahead. East Bengal responded late in regulation when Jay Gupta headed in from a MD Basim Rashid free-kick to level the score at the 90th minute.

In extra time East Bengal added three more goals. MD Basim Rashid scored a half-volley in the 108th minute after a pass from Rohit Danu, David Himar struck in the 116th minute, and Rohit Danu then profited from a through pass by PV Vishnu inside the box to complete the 4-1 scoreline.

The victory guarantees East Bengal a place in the AFC Champions League Two Main Round.