East Bengal Stun Al-Arabi 4-1

East Bengal FC pulled off a stunning comeback to defeat Al Arabi SC 4-1 in extra time in the AFC Champions League Two qualifier. The match, played at the Salt Lake Stadium, saw East Bengal come back from a deficit to win in dramatic fashion.

Al Arabi SC took the lead in the 76th minute with a penalty converted by Anayo Iwuala. However, East Bengal FC equalized in the 90th minute with a goal by Jay Gupta. The Indian club then took control in extra time, with Basim Rashid scoring in the 108th minute, followed by goals from David Hmar in the 117th minute and Rohit Danu in the 120th minute.

The win helped East Bengal FC qualify for the group stage of the AFC Champions League Two tournament. The team showed better endurance against a tiring opponent and took complete control in the second session of extra time.

## What happened next After the equalizer, East Bengal FC dominated the extra time, with Rashid producing a superb angled half-volley to put his team ahead. Substitute David Hmar then made it 3-1, scoring from a rebound after Chris Ikonomidis' effort was saved. Rohit Danu completed the remarkable comeback, converting Hmar's assist to seal East Bengal's passage to the group stage.

## Why it matters The AFC Champions League is one of the most prestigious club tournaments in Asian football. East Bengal FC's qualification for the group stage is a significant achievement for the Indian club, and it will provide them with an opportunity to compete against some of the best teams in the continent. The win is also a testament to the team's endurance and determination, as they came back from a deficit to win in dramatic fashion.

The result is a major boost for Indian football, and it will be interesting to see how East Bengal FC performs in the group stage of the tournament. With this win, the team has made a statement and proved that they are a force to be reckoned with in Asian football.