East Bengal script stunning comeback to beat Al Arabi 4-1, qualify for ACL Two group stage

KOLKATA: (Aug 12) East Bengal produced a stunning late comeback to beat Kuwait’s Al Arabi SC 4-1 in extra time and qualify for the group stage of the AFC Champions League Two at the Salt Lake Stadium, here on Wednesday.

The new-look home side under Antonio Lopez Habas looked set for a disappointing exit after trailing 0-1 with just 14 minutes of regulation time remaining following Anayo Iwuala’s 76th minute strike from a penalty.

But Jay Gupta’s 90th-minute equaliser changed the game before East Bengal, who are playing with an all-Indian defence in the absence of Spanish centre back Nacho Monsalve, took complete control in extra time against the Kuwait Premier League runners-up.