On the eve of East Bengal’s AFC Challenge League Quarter-Final first leg against Turkmenistan’s FK Arkadag, the press conference room at VYBK was buzzing with over 50 reporters—a rare sight outside of a Kolkata Derby. The packed room spoke volumes about the significance of this match. However, the reporters seemed a bit disheartened as they could barely extract any spicy quotes or crucial insights from Arkadag’s head coach, Dovletmyrat Annayev, and player, Altymyrat Annadurdyyev as both of them barely speak English.
Their wait finally ended when Oscar Bruzon and Saul Crespo took their seats on the podium. The interaction between the media and the duo lasted for over 25 minutes. Bruzon opened the conference by saying, “It’s a proud moment for us. It’s a responsibility to represent the country.” He has instilled this belief in every player in the squad.
After falling short of the ISL Top 6 despite a late push, the Red and Gold Brigade will be eager to find solace in an impressive knockout performance in the continental competition. Keeping in mind the club’s rich legacy, East Bengal wants to leave no stone unturned in its pursuit of success on the continental stage.
“Arkadag is a young team, while East Bengal is a legacy club. It’s a battle between a historic Indian club and a recently established team. We will give our best and aim for the best possible result for our fans,” Bruzon stated during the press conference.
However, several factors make this clash even more intriguing. One major challenge for East Bengal is the limited information available on Arkadag, making research and preparation difficult. The only match footage they could access was from Arkadag’s three group-stage games in the AFC Challenge League last October. As a result, East Bengal is largely unaware of their opponent’s tactical approach, strategies, or new signings.
Another key factor is the stark contrast in weather conditions between Turkmenistan and Kolkata. Arkadag has spent a week training in Dubai to acclimatize to the humid conditions.
“They are coming from a country where it’s winter now, so it will be a bit difficult for them to adapt to Kolkata’s heat. They might start strong in the first 30 minutes, but I’m confident that our team can match their intensity. In the later stages, they might struggle, and that’s where we can capitalize,” Bruzon explained.
East Bengal is in the closing stages of their season, whereas Arkadag is just starting theirs, as the Turkmenistan league has only recently kicked off. According to Bruzon, this could work either way and isn’t necessarily an advantage for either side.
“The situation is different for both clubs. We have the advantage of being match-fit and don’t need to adjust much. On the other hand, they are fresh, with fewer injuries, and have played a few friendlies,” he said.
One significant advantage for East Bengal is their ability to field all six of their foreign players, while Arkadag relies solely on domestic talents, many of whom are part of the Turkmenistan national team. Bruzon confirmed that except for Anwar Ali, all players are available, and he plans to utilize all six foreigners for this crucial encounter.
Despite the lack of detailed insights into Arkadag, East Bengal is well aware of its midfield powerhouse, Ahmet Atayev. Having played for Altyn Asyr against East Bengal in the AFC Champions League 2 qualifiers, Atayev has now moved to Arkadag mid-season. He is known for dictating play in midfield, and Bruzon will be keen on neutralizing his influence.
“Atayev is one of their key players. Tomorrow, he will be commanding the midfield. Let’s see who wins the battle,” Bruzon added.
With his sixth participation in an AFC competition, Oscar Bruzon, who has delivered commendable performances on the continental stage before, is once again determined to make an impact. Fresh from the heartbreak of missing out on the ISL playoffs, East Bengal will now look to bring smiles back to their fans’ faces by making a statement in the AFC Challenge League.
Also Read: East Bengal Brace for Mysterious Might of FK Arkadag, Turkmenistan’s Unbeaten Giants