Wednesday, March 12, 2025
In a thrilling encounter on March 12, 2025, East Bengal FC emerged victorious against FC Arkadag in the second leg of the AFC Challenge League quarter-final. The match, held at the Arkadag Stadium in Turkmenistan, saw East Bengal overturn a first-leg deficit to advance to the semi-finals.mykhel.com+5indiansuperleague.com+5neindiabroadcast.com+5
First Leg Recap
The first leg, played on March 5, 2025, at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, ended in a 1-0 victory for FC Arkadag. Midfielder Yazgylych Gurbanov scored the only goal in the 10th minute, giving the Turkmenistan champions a crucial away advantage. East Bengal struggled to break down Arkadag's resolute defense, managing only one shot on target despite dominating possession. hindustantimes.com+2Khel Now+2neindiabroadcast.com+2Khel Now+3neindiabroadcast.com+3hindustantimes.com+3mykhel.com
Pre-Match Build-Up
Facing a one-goal deficit, East Bengal's head coach, Oscar Bruzon, emphasized the importance of scoring early in the second leg. He remained optimistic about his team's chances, stating, "We will go all in the second leg, trying to score the first goal, and if we do that, we can elevate our confidence." neindiabroadcast.com+5Khel Now+5mykhel.com+5
Match Overview
The match kicked off under clear skies, with both teams aware of the high stakes. East Bengal needed at least one goal to level the aggregate score, while Arkadag aimed to defend their lead and capitalize on counter-attacks.
First Half
East Bengal started aggressively, pressing high and controlling possession. Their efforts paid off in the 15th minute when forward Raphael Messi Bouli headed in a cross from Naorem Mahesh Singh, leveling the aggregate score at 1-1. This early goal boosted East Bengal's confidence, and they continued to attack, creating several chances but failing to extend their lead before halftime.indiansuperleague.com+5mykhel.com+5mykhel.com+5
Second Half
The second half began with Arkadag showing more intent, knowing that a single goal would put them back in control. However, East Bengal's defense, marshaled by captain Lalchungnunga, stood firm. In the 60th minute, a pivotal moment occurred when Arkadag's striker, Didar Durdyyew, was brought down just outside the box by Lalchungnunga. The referee deemed it a professional foul and issued a red card, reducing East Bengal to ten men.hindustantimes.com+1mykhel.com+1indiansuperleague.com
East Bengal's Resilience
Despite being a man down, East Bengal displayed remarkable resilience. Coach Bruzon reorganized the team into a compact defensive unit, relying on quick counter-attacks. Goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Singh Gill made several crucial saves to keep the scores level.indiansuperleague.com+2mykhel.com+2Khel Now+2hindustantimes.com+2neindiabroadcast.com+2mykhel.com+2
Extra Time
With no further goals in regular time, the match proceeded to extra time. Both teams showed signs of fatigue, but East Bengal's determination shone through. In the 105th minute, substitute Cleiton Silva capitalized on a defensive error, slotting the ball past Arkadag's goalkeeper, Charyyev Rasul, to give East Bengal a 2-1 aggregate lead.mykhel.com+1hindustantimes.com+1
Final Moments
Arkadag threw everything forward in the remaining minutes, but East Bengal's defense held strong. The final whistle sparked celebrations among the East Bengal players and traveling supporters, as they secured their spot in the semi-finals.indiansuperleague.com+4hindustantimes.com+4mykhel.com+4
Post-Match Reactions
Coach Bruzon praised his team's character, saying, "Playing with ten men for such a long period and still managing to win shows the spirit and determination of our squad." Goal-scorer Cleiton Silva dedicated his goal to the fans, stating, "Their support, even away from home, inspired us to keep fighting."mykhel.com
Looking Ahead
East Bengal will now prepare for the semi-finals of the AFC Challenge League, with their opponents to be determined in the coming days. This victory not only boosts their confidence but also underscores their capability to overcome adversity on the continental stage.Khel Now+5neindiabroadcast.com+5mykhel.com+5
Key Moments
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15th Minute: Raphael Messi Bouli scores to level the aggregate.hindustantimes.com+1mykhel.com+1
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60th Minute: Lalchungnunga receives a red card, reducing East Bengal to ten men.hindustantimes.com+1mykhel.com+1
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105th Minute: Cleiton Silva nets the decisive goal in extra time.
Match Statistics
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Possession: Arkadag 55% - 45% East Bengalmykhel.com
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Shots on Target: Arkadag 6 - 4 East Bengal
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Fouls Committed: Arkadag 14 - 10 East Bengalmykhel.com+2mykhel.com+2hindustantimes.com+2
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