Indian Super League champions East Bengal FC produced a sensational comeback at home, overcoming Kuwaiti giants Al-Arabi SC 4-1 after extra time in a dramatic AFC Champions League Two preliminary knockout encounter in Kolkata on Wednesday. The victory not only highlighted East Bengal’s remarkable fighting spirit but also secured their place in the main group stage of the 2026-27 AFC Champions League Two.
The match appeared to be slipping away from the home side for much of the second half. Both teams battled intensely in a tightly contested encounter, with neither side able to find the breakthrough during regulation time. East Bengal created opportunities but were unable to convert them, while Al-Arabi remained disciplined and dangerous on the counter.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 76th minute, when Al-Arabi were awarded a penalty. The Kuwaiti side made no mistake from the spot, sending the ball into the net and putting East Bengal under enormous pressure. With time running out, the hosts needed a moment of inspiration to keep their qualification hopes alive.
That moment arrived dramatically in the 90th minute.
East Bengal pushed forward in search of an equaliser and were rewarded when left-back Jay Gupta produced a brilliant header to find the back of the net. His late intervention sparked wild celebrations inside the stadium and completely changed the momentum of the contest. The equaliser forced the match into extra time, with both sides now facing another 30 minutes to decide the winner.
East Bengal carried their momentum into extra time and eventually completed their remarkable turnaround in the 108th minute. Midfielder Mohammed Bassim Rashid unleashed a sensational volley that flew into the Al-Arabi net, giving the home side a 2-1 lead. The goal was a moment of outstanding technical quality and gave East Bengal the advantage they had desperately fought for.
With Al-Arabi forced to chase the game, spaces began to open up at the back. East Bengal took full advantage in the closing stages of extra time. David Lalhlansanga Hmar added another goal to extend the lead, before Rohit Danu completed the scoring with a fourth goal in the late minutes.
From being a goal down in the 76th minute to winning 4-1 after extra time, East Bengal produced an extraordinary turnaround. The result was a testament to the team’s resilience, attacking intent and ability to perform under pressure on a major continental stage.
The victory is particularly significant for East Bengal, as it confirms their qualification for the main group stage of the 2026-27 AFC Champions League Two. After a dramatic night in Kolkata, the red-and-gold brigade have taken another important step forward in their continental journey.
For the East Bengal faithful, it was a night to remember — a match that seemed destined for disappointment transformed into one of the club’s most memorable comeback victories on the Asian stage.
