The AFC Challenge League quarterfinal first leg witnessed East Bengal suffer a narrow 0-1 defeat against FC Arkadag of Turkmenistan on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.
Despite dominating possession and pushing for an equalizer, Oscar Bruzon’s side couldn’t break down a stubborn Arkadag defense — leaving them with a mountain to climb in the second leg.
Let’s dive into the match highlights, key stats, and what both teams need to do to secure a semifinal spot in the AFC Challenge League.
⚔️ East Bengal vs FC Arkadag: Match Summary
- Result: East Bengal 0-1 FC Arkadag
- Goal: Yazguly Gurbanow (10’)
- Venue: Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata
- Competition: AFC Challenge League Quarterfinal (1st Leg)
The match started with early drama as Yazguly Gurbanow struck in the 10th minute — capitalizing on a defensive error to give FC Arkadag a crucial away goal.
Though East Bengal enjoyed 62% possession and created several chances through Cleiton Silva and Mahesh Singh, their finishing let them down.
With Jordan Elsey and Suhair VP coming on in the second half to add firepower, Bruzon’s side pressed hard but couldn’t break the deadlock.
Now, all eyes turn to the second leg in Turkmenistan — where East Bengal must win by a two-goal margin to stay alive.
📊 Match Stats: East Bengal vs FC Arkadag
- Possession: East Bengal 62% – 38% FC Arkadag
- Shots: East Bengal 12 – 5 FC Arkadag
- Shots on Target: East Bengal 4 – 2 FC Arkadag
- Corners: East Bengal 7 – 3 FC Arkadag
- Fouls: East Bengal 10 – 8 FC Arkadag
🔥 Key Moments: How the Game Unfolded
-
⚡ Early Blow (10’):
Yazguly Gurbanow punished East Bengal’s shaky defense with a clinical strike — giving Arkadag the lead and a precious away goal. -
🎯 Cleiton Silva’s Miss (27’):
East Bengal’s star forward narrowly missed the target from a free-kick — squandering a golden opportunity to draw level. -
🔄 Bruzon’s Tactical Shift (60’):
To break Arkadag’s solid backline, Oscar Bruzon brought on Suhair VP and Jordan Elsey — but the visitors’ defense stood firm. -
🧤 Late Drama (88’):
Just before the final whistle, Mahesh Singh’s powerful header was brilliantly saved by Arkadag’s goalkeeper — denying East Bengal a crucial equalizer.
🚀 What’s Next: 2nd Leg Showdown in Turkmenistan
The decisive second leg will be held on March 12, 2025:
- 📅 Date: Tuesday, March 12, 2025
- ⏰ Kick-off: 8:00 PM IST | 7:30 PM TMT
- 🏟️ Venue: Ashgabat Stadium, Turkmenistan
What East Bengal Need to Do:
- A 2-0 win will secure progression to the semifinals.
- A 1-0 win will take the match into extra time.
- Conceding an away goal means East Bengal must win by at least a two-goal margin.
What FC Arkadag Need to Do:
- A draw or any win will see them through.
- A narrow defeat (as long as they score) still benefits Arkadag due to the away goals rule.
Can East Bengal mount a stunning comeback, or will FC Arkadag hold firm and march into the AFC Challenge League semifinals?
📺 Where to Watch: East Bengal vs FC Arkadag Live Stream
Fans can catch all the action live through these channels:
- 🇮🇳 India: Sports18 / JioCinema
- 🇹🇲 Turkmenistan: Türkmenistan Sport
- 🌍 International: AFC’s official live streaming platform (where available)
Make sure to tune in and support your team in this high-stakes AFC showdown!
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