Al Arabi misses chance to qualify for 'AFC Champions League Two'

Al-Arabi missed their chance to qualify for the 2022 AFC Champions League after suffering a 4-1 defeat to India’s East Bengal in their match played yesterday at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, India. The game required two extra time periods after ending 1-1 in regular time.

Al-Arabi took the lead through Anayo Iyala from a penalty kick in the 75th minute. East Bengal equalized through Jay Gupta in the 89th minute, followed by goals from Basim Rashid in the 108th minute, David in the 116th minute, and another goal by David in the 119th minute. With this result, the Indian team qualified for the 2022 AFC Champions League, while Al-Arabi will now participate in the AFC Challenge Cup.

The Green team entered the match with a lineup featuring goalkeeper Sulaiman Abdul Ghaffour, Abdullah Ammar, Leonard Sheldon, Jawhar Rasool, Abdulwahab Al-Awadi, Ali Aziz, Khaled Al-Murshed, Kenan Malikov, Youssef Majed, Zaid Qanbar, and Iyala.

The first half was evenly matched, with the Indian team distinguished by long-range shots, while Al-Arabi struggled to build attacks. The first significant attempt came from East Bengal, as Basim Rashid’s shot was brilliantly saved by Abdul Ghaffour in the 5th minute. Abdul Ghaffour also prevented a dangerous move by Billing Singh, who curled a shot into the far corner in the 11th minute. Iyala responded with a wild shot that went wide of the goal in the 13th minute.

In the second half, Al-Arabi took the initiative as Iyala advanced down the left flank, but goalkeeper Sile pushed the ball out for a corner kick in the 48th minute. Khaled Al-Murshed made a crucial intervention by clearing a one-on-one opportunity presented to striker Singh in the 50th minute. Abdullah Ammar was substituted due to injury in the 70th minute and was replaced by Ali Abdulrasool.

Malikov was fouled inside the penalty area, leading the referee to award a penalty kick, which Iyala successfully converted to put Al-Arabi ahead in the 75th minute. East Bengal equalized through a deadly header by Jay Gupta in the 89th minute. The match proceeded to extra time, during which the Indian team scored three goals in the second period of extra time.

The match was officiated by a Tajikistani refereeing team led by international referee Gulmurod Sadullo.