Mohun Bagan will be the only Indian team in the AFC Champions League Two. Thank you all for joining us today on the live coverage of the East Bengal vs Altyn Asyr match.

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That's a wrap. Goodnight!

A huge talking point post-game will the disallowed goal in the 82nd minute. Captain Cleiton Silva had put it in, but the referee called it a foul on Altyn goalkeeper Batyr Babayew first. Had that goal stood, we could've been writing a completely different script.

East Bengal had their bright moments. David's early goal, Nandha looking bright on the left wing, Talal and Saul influencing the game as well. But yet, they were second-best defensively, and will rue the sloppy moments.

Heartbreak for East Bengal. Altyn Asyr qualify for the group stage of the AFC Champions League Two. The red and gold brigade had their chances, but sloppy moments in crucial stages made the difference.

Not a horrible performance, by any means.

FT: East Bengal 2-3 Altyn Asyr

East Bengal send a long ball into the box, but Diamantakos' header doesn't get the power or accuracy. We are beyond 7 minutes of added time now.

90+7' East Bengal 2-3 Altyn Asyr

East Bengal had another chance. A corner for them in the 95th minute. It goes to waste, beyond any man in the box.

90+5' East Bengal 2-3 Altyn Asyr

The Altyn Asyr goalkeeper fumbles Cleiton's free-kick, but he recoveres to collect before it a rebound comes to an East Bengal player. Is that the end for East Bengal. Goalkeeper Batyr Babayew is down in the box, as the clock keeps ticking. We are well past 91 minutes now. 

There will be a minimum of 7 minutes of added time.

90+2' East Bengal 2-3 Altyn Asyr.

Madih Talal is brought down just on the edge of the box. That's as close as it gets without it actually being inside the box. Still, East Bengal can have a crack at goal. It must be Cleiton.

90' East Bengal 2-3 Altyn Asyr

Altyn Asyr fire just wide! Brilliantly orchestrated manouevre in the midfield, and a curling effort from the left goes inches wide. A comeback is still on for East Bengal.

88' East Bengal 2-3 Altyn Asyr

East Bengal have less than four minutes of regulation time to make something happen here. 

87' East Bengal 2-3 Altyn Asyr

Almost immediately, a chance at the other end for Altyn. This game is really opening up in the final ten minutes. The replay shows a great first block, before the ball almost slipped in underneath Gill. Big reprieve for EBFC.

83' East Bengal 2-3 Altyn Asyr

East Bengal had the ball in the back of the net, but the referee has disallowed it, ruling a foul on the goalline.

It was Cleiton who scored, but the referee has awarded a foul to Altyn. This will be a HUGE talking point if East Bengal lose.

82' East Bengal 2-3 Altyn Asyr

Altyn's Annayew goes down in the box, but no penalty awarded by the referee. Nandha sets off on the counter attack, but his cross towards Diamantakos is intercepted.

Annayew stays down.

77' East Bengal 2-3 Altyn Asy

Altyn Asyr almost put an East Bengal cross into their own net, as their failed clearance ricochets off the post! Drama at the Salt Lake Stadium.

70' East Bengal 2-3 Altyn Asyr

A new wave of hope for East Bengal. David has been largely anonymous since he scored the first goal, and now he is replaced by club legend Cleiton Silva. 5 overseas players on the pitch now. There's no limit of four overseas players, because this is an Asian competition.

67' East Bengal 2-3 Altyn Asyr

Remember, this is a one-legged tie. If East Bengal manage to level the game, the match will head to extra time and then penalties if needed.

66' East Bengal 2-3 Altyn Asyr

East Bengal club captain Cleiton Silva is warming up and having discussions with coach Carles Cuadrat. His entry into the game is imminent.

64' East Bengal 2-3 Altyn Asyr

Altyn Asyr have another free-kick in a dangerous position, but this one arrows into the East Bengal wall. 

63' East Bengal 2-3 Altyn Asyr

Ever since they conceded the third, the two experienced overseas midfielders for East Bengal have stepped up. Talal had two pops at goal, and now Saul has scored. 

62' East Bengal 2-3 Altyn Asyr

Saul Crespo has scored! East Bengal are still alive. The Spanish midfielder dribbles past 3 defenders and then curls it past the Altyn goalkeeper.

A sign of hope. Salt Lake Stadium cheers again. Can East Bengal mount a comeback?

60' East Bengal 2-3 Altyn Asyr

Talal dances past a defender, opening up a great angle and a 3v2 situation. But he decides to shoot from range again and it goes straight into the arms of the goalkeeper.

58' East Bengal 1-3 Altyn Asyr

French midfielder Madih Talal trying to make something happen, and shoots from outside the box. Not a bad effort, but it goes slightly over the bar. East Bengal are counting on a moment of individual brilliance to raise their hopes.

54' East Bengal 1-3 Altyn Asyr

Against the run of play, Altyn Asyr score their third goal. Great cross towards the far post. Gill makes the first save, but Altyn put the rebound into an empty net. 

Mountain to climb now for East Bengal. The Salt Lake Stadium has been silenced.

53' East Bengal 1-3 Altyn Asyr

East Bengal have been clearly lifted by the presence of Diamantakos in the box. Good early momentum for the red and gold brigade at the start of the second half.

50' East Bengal 1-2 Altyn Asyr

Fast start to the second half by East Bengal, as Talal and Crespo show slickness in the midfield. Nandha's final cross is poor, and goes straight to the goalkeeper.

47' East Bengal 1-2 Altyn Asyr

There's the sign of intent from East Bengal. Striker Dimitrios Diamantakos is on, and so is defensive midfielder Jeakson Singh. Winger Naorem Mahesh and right-back Md Rakip have been taken off.

It will be interesting to see who takes up the right-back position now, and whether Jeakson plays CB or defensive mid.

46' East Bengal 1-2 Altyn Asyr

We are about to start the second half. East Bengal must come roaring back if they want to qualify for the main stage of the AFC Champions League 2. 

East Bengal have two ISL-proven strikers on the bench, in Cleiton Silva and Dimitrios Diamantakos. A number of times in the first half, East Bengal have failed to capitalize on good crosses into the box. A change in strategy seems imminent.

HT: East Bengal 1-2 Altyn Asyr

That's the end of the first half. David Lalhlansanga sent the Salt Lake Stadium into raptures with a goal in the 7th minute, but Altyn Asyr fought back. First, a deft finish by to equalise Myrat Annayew to equalize, and then a sweet free-kick by Selim Nurmuradow to make it 2-1.

East Bengal have firepower on the bench, and that could make a difference in the second half.

HT: East Bengal 1-2 Altyn Asyr

East Bengal with a great chance in the final moments of the first half, but they fail to capitalize. Excellent cross into the box by Crespo, but Lalchungnunga's shot is saved. 

45+3' East Bengal 1-2 Altyn Asyr

David Lalhlansanga does very well to win back possession in his own half, but then loses momentum in his run as the ball gets stuck under his feet, allowing the Altyn defender to catch up.

45+2' East Bengal 1-2 Altyn Asyr

Altyn Asyr had sent a player completely through on goal, but Prabhsukhan Gill rushes out of his box to tackle. He's also lucky to not have gotten a hand on the ball.

43' East Bengal 1-2 Altyn Asyr

East Bengal are piling on the pressure now. The home crowd are pushing them on. Saul and Talal are combining well in the midfield, and Mark Zo had put in another venomous cross, but did not find a man.

40' East Bengal 1-2 Altyn Asyr

A superb cross from the left flank by left back Mark Zo, but does not connect with a striker in the box. Diamantakos would've been perfect for a ball like that, but he is on the bench!

35' East Bengal 1-2 Altyn

East Bengal will be gutted to have let that early lead slip. It has been sloppy from Carles Cuadrat's side ever since, and Altyn Asyr are clearly dominating proceedings now.

32' East Bengal 1-2 Altyn

Altyn Asyr slam it in from a direct free-kick at the edge of the box. Brilliant strike by Selim Nurmuradow. Once again, Sukhan Gill stands still and watches the ball enter the net. East Bengal have completely let the momentum slip.

28' East Bengal 1-2 Altyn Asyr

East Bengal trying to get a move going, but a poor cross by Rakip from the right ends it. The red and gold brigade slowly losing their grip on the game.

24' East Bengal 1-1 Altyn Asyr

Altyn Asyr equalize! The Turkmenistan side have been on the offensive lately, and this time they pounce. A chipped ball over the top, and Myrat Annayew scores with a deft finish past a motionless Prabhsukhan Gill.

20' East Bengal 1-1 Altyn Asyr

The goalkeeper makes a superb save. Great shot by Altyn Asyr heading towards the bottom corner, but East Bengal's custodian stretches well to save.

12' East Bengal 1-0 Altyn Asyr

East Bengal are threatening repeatedly on the left-wing. Nandha is striking out with his blonde hairstyle, and he is proving to be a big thorn for Altyn Asyr so far.

11' East Bengal 1-0 Altyn Asyr

In the space of five minutes, East Bengal have created two chances, and one of them has led to a goal. It is the dream start that the crowd at the Salt Lake Stadium would've wanted. 

9' East Bengal 1-0 Altyn Asyr

East Bengal score! Saul Crespo with an inch-perfect pass on the left to send Nandha through, the winger finds David in the box. David's first header slams the post, but he bundles home the rebound!

5' East Bengal 1-0 Altyn Asyr

Madih Talal cuts open the East Bengal defence, finding right-back Rakip on the right flank, but his cutback does not find a man in the middle.

1' East Bengal 0-0 Altyn Asyr

The players are on the field, and we are moments away from the start.

East Bengal have also kept Jeakson Singh on the bench. The main reason for leaving so many star players on the substitutes is keeping in mind the derby clash against Mohun Bagan in the Durand Cup on Sunday, August 18.

East Bengal have fielded just three foreigners today, with club captain Cleiton Silva and new signing Dimitrios Diamantakso both on the bench. Instead, it is Indian striker David Lalhlansanga who is starting as the no. 9. 

David was signed by East Bengal this summer, having played for Mohammedan Sporting Club last season.

East Bengal's huge match vs Altyn Asyr FC is just 15 minutes away from kick-off. Remenber, this is for a spot in the group stage of the AFC Champions League Two.

Here is East Bengal's playing XI for the big game vs Altyn Asyr:

For the badge!
For the nation! #JoyEastBengal #ACLTwo #EBFCInAsia pic.twitter.com/cFRJTUZU7K

— East Bengal FC (@eastbengal_fc) August 14, 2024

East Bengal are no strangers to doing well in Asian competitions. They became the first Indian club to reach the semi-fianls of the AFC Cup in the 2012-13 season. 

With wingers Nandha Kumar Sekar and Naorem Mahesh still at East Bengal, as well as goalkeeper Prabsukhan Gill, the club now boasts a very strong Indian core.

East Bengal have had arguably the best transfer window of any ISL club. They've acquired three players from Kerala Blasters, including star defensive midfielder Jeakson Singh and star striker Dimitrios Diamantakos. They have also signed Spanish defender Hector Yuste, after he left Mohun Bagan, and roped in attacking midfielder Madih Talal from Punjab FC.

East Bengal head into this game on high spirits. The red and gold brigade have just completed the most controversial transfer of the Indian summer, snatching defender Anwar Ali from Mohun Bagan. 

Anwar, however, will not play today.

The AFC Champions League and AFC Cup were rebranded into the AFC Champions League Elite and AFC Champions League Two ahead of the 2024-25 season. 

Sadly, there is no guaranteed or qualifying spot for Indian clubs to the AFC Champions League Elite. The only way to reach it would be to win the AFC CL 2, which has never been done before.

There will be another reason driving East Bengal on today. Their big Kolkata rivals Mohun Bagan are already in the AFC Champions League 2 group stages, having won the ISL Shield, and East Bengal will be desperate to not let them have the bragging rights in the Asian stage.

We are here, of course, at the iconic Yuva Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata, also known as the Salt Lake Stadium. We are expecting a packed stadium, with East Bengal fans roaring at their loudest.

East Bengal won the 2024 Super Cup title, thereby earning a place in the qualifying prelims for the AFC Champions League Two. They take on Turkemenistan side FC Altyn Asyr, who finished second in their league, Yokary Liga, in 2023.

Football fans, East Bengal fans, ISL fans, Indian football fans, welcome! Kolkata giants East Bengal have a very, very important match today, because they can seal a place in the main stage of the AFC Champions League Two today.