In the picturesque Changlimithang Stadium in Bhutan, East Bengal will face a fresh challenge as Oscar Bruzon and his team take on host Paro FC in their AFC Challenge Cup opener before meeting Basundhara Kings (Bangladesh) and Nejmeh SC (Lebanon). After enduring six consecutive defeats in the ISL, the Red and Gold Brigade are eager for a turnaround against the champions of the recently concluded Bhutan Premier League.
This match marks East Bengal FC’s 17th participation in AFC club competitions (2 in the Asian Club Championship, 5 in the Asian Cup Winners’ Cup, 9 in the AFC Cup, and 1 in the AFC Challenge League) — a record for Indian clubs.
While the players are captivated by Bhutan’s natural beauty, they will have to acclimatise to the challenging conditions, notably the high-altitude environment and the artificial turf. The Changlimithang Stadium, located 2,300 meters above sea level, has a synthetic playing surface which may be difficult for East Bengal players, who are generally more accustomed to natural grass fields.
The evening temperatures drop below 10 degrees Celsius, which could be an added challenge for the three visiting teams, as they’re used to playing in warmer climates. However, East Bengal is optimistic for a strong performance, having made the most of the 2 training sessions available before the game. After arriving in Bhutan on Thursday afternoon, the team had an activation session that evening, followed by a one-hour training session on Friday to wrap up their preparations.
It is understood that Bruzon has focused on boosting the players’ speed and agility to prepare them for the fast-paced play expected from Paro FC. As a team from hilly terrain, Paro FC is known for their rapid gameplay, and Oscar has been preparing his players to adapt well to the conditions.
Paro FC, unbeaten in their last seven games with six consecutive wins, relies heavily on their foreign players, having registered nine international players for this competition. However, their marquee Japanese player, Keisuke Honda, is set to miss the game due to an injury; Paro FC’s president confirmed that the midfielder has returned to Japan for treatment. In Honda’s absence, Paro will rely on Tomoyuki Unno, a Japanese ball-playing defender who offers both defensive solidity and effective buildup from the backline. Anwar Ali and the East Bengal defence will also need to contend with Paro’s Ghanaian forwards, William Opoku, Richard Gadze, and Evan Asante. Opoku is a familiar face in Indian football, having represented Minerva, as well as CFL clubs – BSS and Bhawanipore FC.
While Paro FC’s strength lies in their international line-up, East Bengal’s foreign players, except for Madih Talal and, to some extent, Saul Crespo, have yet to hit their peak form. Having struggled in the ISL, East Bengal will need a strong performance from their overseas players if they want to make an impact in the AFC Challenge Cup.
With no restrictions on foreign players in AFC competitions, East Bengal might consider a three-man defence to fit all six foreign players into the line-up. Since Bruzon took charge, the team has played only two matches. While the Kolkata Derby performance was disappointing, the team showed improvement against Odisha FC, displaying positive intent from the outset. However, forwards – Dimitrios Diamantakos and Cleiton Silva – will need to step up their game to convert chances into goals.
Defensively, East Bengal has struggled throughout this season, and against Paro’s physically strong Ghanaian attackers, they face a tough challenge. Hijazi Maher, whose form has noticeably dipped this season, will need to be more precise with his marking and interceptions if East Bengal is to avoid defensive mishaps.
Newly appointed head coach, Bruzon was unable to attend the pre-match press conference due to awaiting AFC clearance, but this has since been resolved, and Oscar is set to lead his side from the dugout. East Bengal winger Mahesh Naorem, who missed the last two ISL games, trained ahead of this match but remains doubtful to start. PV Vishnu is expected to step into the starting line-up again.
Coaches’ Comments
Bino George: “Playing on the artificial turf will be a challenge. We need to adapt to the Bhutanese climate. We have plans for each opponent. We need to execute them on the field.
“The players are trying their best in every practice session. Coach Oscar has been working relentlessly with the players and they have been adapting well to his style of play. I hope the players will do well in this tournament.”
Pushpalal Sharma: “They (East Bengal) have a very rich history. But we are also very well prepared. Our Local league concluded just 5 days ago, that’s why I can assure that our players will be in top form. Also, they are well accustomed to playing on astroturf as we don’t have natural grass here.”