What changes should Antonio Habas make for East Bengal before next AFC Champions League Two clash?

East Bengal are yet to register their first win in the 2026–27 ACL Two campaign.

East Bengal and Al-Seeb were forced to settle for a goalless draw in their AFC Champions League Two clash in Oman on Tuesday, with both sides left to rue missed opportunities.

East Bengal have recorded one defeat and two draws in the 2026–27 AFC Champions League Two campaign so far and will face Al-Seeb in Kolkata on November 3. The result earned Al-Seeb its first point in this season’s continental campaign, while East Bengal’s winless run continued with two draws and a defeat.

Al-Seeb, who lost to FC Goa in the preliminary stages of last season’s AFC Champions League Two, will travel to Kolkata for the return fixture against East Bengal on November 3.

However, Antonio Habas’ side looked tired and lacked quality and intensity in the final third, as the East Bengal head coach acknowledged during the post-match press conference amid a hectic travel schedule and a congested domestic and continental fixture list.

The Spanish gaffer must have been frustrated with aspects of East Bengal’s overall display, particularly their inability to maintain consistent performances. The match will likely have given Habas a clearer understanding of his side’s strengths and weaknesses at the continental level.

The November 3 return fixture offers East Bengal an opportunity to respond in front of their home supporters. However, they must combine attacking intent with patience rather than forcing passes or taking unnecessary risks.

A positive start could help build momentum, but the team must remain composed if an early goal does not arrive. With a subsequent home fixture against Al-Hussein SC on November 24 and an away clash against Al-Shorta SC on December 8, every remaining group-stage point will be crucial.

These fixtures should give Habas an opportunity to make the necessary tactical adjustments and personnel changes to add greater solidity to his side and help East Bengal deliver more effective performances going forward. Here, we look at the changes Antonio Habas should make before East Bengal’s next ACL Two clash.

Sharpen attacking efficiency in the final third

After failing to score against Al-Seeb in Oman, East Bengal must improve their finishing in the final third ahead of their home clash against the Omani side next week.

Habas must make better use of Aké Loba and David Lalhansanga Hmar in the final third to add more dynamism and sharpness to East Bengal’s attack.

Both forwards should exploit the available space more effectively and combine better with Dani Ramírez and Mohammed Rashid, who can create goal-scoring opportunities for them. Whether it is Aké Loba and David Hmar or Edmund Lalrindika and Lukáš Zwoliński leading the attack, East Bengal’s forwards must make better decisions inside the penalty area and show greater composure and clinical finishing in front of goal.

Strengthen midfield dominance and accelerate attacking transitions

The midfield coordination between Jeakson Singh and Mohammed Rashid needs to be more effective and clinical if East Bengal wants to dictate the game rather than allowing Al-Seeb to control the tempo of the game in the return fixture.

Rashid and Jeakson should provide defensive stability along with the attacking transitions in the counterattacks. Only then can players like Ramirez play freely in the midfield, utilising the wide-open areas in a more advanced role to connect the midfield with the forwards.

Habas has earlier stressed the need for greater composure and tactical discipline in continental fixtures, highlighting areas where East Bengal must raise their standards. The Torchbearers must remain organised defensively, even while committing players forward in search of goals.

Maximise the impact of foreign attacking reinforcements

Antonio Habas should consider deploying Aké Loba, Lukáš Zwoliński and Chris Ikonomidis together in attack to add more firepower and strengthen East Bengal’s attacking unit on the continental stage.

By using this trio in the attacking force, Habas will not only help the Torchbearers create more goal-scoring chances but will also help to create opportunities through intelligent movement, combination play and greater presence in the final third.

Chris Ikonomidis can utilise the flanks and create opportunities with his quality, while Loba can lead the frontline, with Zwolinski adding another flair to the attacking threat for the Habas’ side in the upcoming ACL two matches.

However, Habas must ensure that the attacking trio works cohesively while maintaining a balanced midfield structure to prevent East Bengal from being exposed to opposition counterattacks.

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