East Bengal aims to get back to winning ways as they face Bangladesh’s Basundhara Kings in the AFC Challenge League 2024-25 group stage at Thimphu’s Changlimithang Stadium. In their tournament opener, the Red and Gold brigade had a chance to end a six-game losing streak from the Indian Super League (ISL). However, they could only manage a 2-2 draw against Paro FC, missing multiple opportunities to score. Meanwhile, Basundhara suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Lebanon’s Nejmeh SC. Both teams will push for a win, as a loss today could end their progression hopes.
Following the draw with Paro FC, East Bengal coach Oscar Bruzon stressed the need to improve fitness and capitalise on scoring chances. Fans will be eager to see these changes in today’s match. This game will be special for Bruzon, as he previously coached Basundhara, where he won five league titles, three Bengali Federation Cups, and three Bengali Independence Cups. Leading East Bengal against familiar faces could work to his advantage.
In the pre-match press conference, Bruzon stated: “We have to win at any cost. The players know that. Yes, the early match will give an idea to both teams.” Bruzon opted for a 4-5-1 formation against Paro FC, while Basundhara Kings’ coach Valeriu Tita, a former AFC Cup winning coach with Syria’s Al-Ahli SC in the 2009/10 season, went with a defensive 4-3-3 against Nejmeh SC. Tita’s experience in big tournaments could benefit his team as they adapt more going forward.
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Basundhara has no major injury concerns, while East Bengal might miss Provat Lakra due to an injury from the last game. This will be the first face-off between the two teams. For Basundhara, Brazilian midfielder Miguel Ferreira will be key with his creativity and final-third connections; last season in the Bangladeshi Premier League, he scored nine goals and assisted five times in 14 games. On the East Bengal side, Greek forward Dimitrios Diamantakos, who scored a penalty in the last match, will look to be more clinical with his chances.
Historically, Basundhara has done well against Indian clubs, with three wins, three draws, and only two losses in eight matches. Last season, they defeated Mohun Bagan at home and drew with them in India. Before this game, Tita acknowledged East Bengal as a strong team but expressed his squad’s readiness for the challenge.
The match will likely feature East Bengal’s attack against Basundhara’s defence, with the Bangladeshi side aiming to counterattack. The high altitude could still be a factor, but East Bengal fans hope their players are now more acclimatised to the conditions.
Also Read: East Bengal’s AFC Challenge League opener ends in 2-2 stalemate with Paro FC