East Bengal to face Al-Hussein in AFC Champions League Two opener in Amman on Sept 16
East Bengal FC will play Al-Hussein SC at the Amman International Stadium in Jordan on 16th September at 9:30 PM IST in their AFC Champions League Two Matchday 1 fixture. The encounter marks East Bengal’s opening match in the competition and kicks off Group D action in the West region.
East Bengal enter the tie as 2025-26 Indian Super League champions and qualified for the AFC Champions League Two preliminary round by virtue of that domestic title. They required one qualifier to reach the competition proper, beating Kuwaiti side Al Arabi SC 4-1 in their sole preliminary match. The West region groups have been finalised and East Bengal will meet Al-Hussein, Al Shorta and Al Seeb in Group D.
The club concluded the 2025-26 season with a managerial change: Oscar Bruzon departed at the end of that campaign and Antonio Lopez Habas has been appointed head coach. Habas, described in the club announcement as a two-time ISL-winning coach, led East Bengal to the 2026-27 Durand Cup title, a 4-1 victory over Mohun Bagan SG in the final, and this match will be East Bengal’s first in the tournament under his leadership. The club statement added that the team seek to carry Durand Cup momentum into continental competition and that a positive result would aid their chances in the AFC campaign and domestically.
Al-Hussein arrive as three-time Jordanian champions but have started their domestic season poorly, losing 5-0 to Al-Jazeera Club in their opening Pro League match and drawing 0-0 with Al-Baqa’a SC in their second. The Jordanian side finished top of their group in their previous AFC Champions League Two group stage but were eliminated in the Quarter Finals with a 3-1 defeat to Saudi side Al-Ahli. This fixture will be Al-Hussein’s first match in the tournament under head coach Ahmad Hayel.
East Bengal’s matchday availability includes a minor concern over Md Bashim Rashid, who was not seen training but may travel with the squad to Jordan, while PV Vishnu is confirmed to travel and Chris Ikonomidis is reported fit and ready to feature. The preview lists East Bengal’s probable starting XI as: Prabhsukhan Gill (GK), Hardik Bhatt, Anwar Ali, Diego Zivulic, Jay Gupta, Mohamad Basim Rashid, Jeakson Singh, Dani Ramirez, Bipin Singh, Chris Ikonomidis, Edmund Lalrindika. Al-Hussein’s likely line-up is given as: Mahmoud Al-Kawamleh (GK), Abdallah Nasib, Pedro Henrique, Ali Hajabi, Ahmad Hassaf, Mahmoud Shawkat, Yousef Qashi, Mahmoud Deeb, Mahmoud Al-Mardi, Aref Al-Haj, Brayan Riascos.
Two players highlighted as ones to watch are East Bengal defender Anwar Ali and Al-Hussein centre-back Pedro Henrique. The preview notes Anwar Ali, aged 26, as central to Habas’ defensive plans and credits him with improving ball recovery and the ability to play defensive line-breaking passes. Pedro Henrique is described as having established himself during his spell at Al-Hussein, praised for reading plays, timely tackling, speed aiding recovery, and long-range passing.
This fixture is the first continental meeting between East Bengal and Al-Hussein and will be broadcast live on the FanCode app. The Matchday 1 clash at the Amman International Stadium on 16th September, 9:30 PM IST, is East Bengal’s opening game in Group D and the first opportunity for both sides to register points in the AFC Champions League Two campaign.
