Al-Arabi to 'Challenge League'
- Lost 4-1 to hosts East Bengal in the AFC Champions League Two playoff
Al-Arabi Club lost 1-4 to their hosts, Indian side East Bengal, in the match held today at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, as part of the playoff for qualification to the AFC Champions League Two. The loss means Al-Arabi will continue their campaign in the AFC Challenge League, while the Indian team secured their place in the tournament.
Al-Arabi’s Croatian coach, Goran Sablic, started the match with a lineup featuring Sulaiman Abdulghafour in goal; in defense, Abdullah Ammar, Abdulwahab Al-Awadi, Jawhar Rasool, and Sheldon; in midfield, Ali Aziz, Khaled Al-Murshed, and Kenan Malenko; and up front, Youssef Majed, Zaid Qanbar, and Anabu Iwuala.
The encounter began cautiously from both sides, with a slight advantage for East Bengal, whose players attempted to exploit some confusion in Al-Arabi’s defensive line. The mistake nearly cost the Kuwaiti side, but the alertness of goalkeeper Abdulghafour prevented disaster, as he pushed away several dangerous balls and made brilliant saves to keep his net clean in the first half.
Al-Arabi quickly organized their ranks and began threatening the host’s goal. Their first attempt came through Iwuala, who penetrated the penalty area but shot wide of the far post (12'). Seven minutes later, Al-Murshed’s shot went into the hands of the Indian goalkeeper, followed by Malenko’s effort, which the keeper gathered before it crossed the goal line (23').
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The second half began with strong efforts from both sides in an attempt to decide the match. Iwuala penetrated the box again and shot, forcing the Indian goalkeeper to push the ball into a corner (49'). From a counterattack, East Bengal nearly opened the scoring, but Al-Murshed brilliantly cleared the ball (50').
Ali Abdulrasool came on as a substitute for the injured Abdullah Ammar (71'). Al-Arabi were awarded a penalty after Malenko entered the penalty area and was fouled. Iwuala stepped up and successfully converted, scoring Al-Arabi’s first goal (74'). Youssef Majed then missed a chance to double the lead, heading a shot wide of the goal (81').
The Indian team pressed in the final minutes seeking an equalizer and succeeded in the dying moments through Jay Goutba, who scored with a header that Abdulghafour failed to keep out, sending the match into extra time.
In the two extra-time periods, Al-Arabi failed to capitalize on opportunities to score a second goal and missed several chances in bulk, particularly through substitute Al-Salama. The team also showed a decline in physical fitness and conditioning, which East Bengal exploited to score their second goal through Palestinian-born player Basem Rashid with a powerful shot (108').
After that goal, Al-Arabi tried to find an equalizer, but David scored the third goal after breaking through the "Green" defense (116'), before Rohit Dano added the fourth (120').
