East Bengal FC vs Al-Arabi SC: Preview - Team news, lineups | ACL Two Preliminary Stage

The Torchbearers will host the Kuwaiti side on 12th August.

East Bengal are all set to battle it out against Kuwait giants Al-Arabi SC, with both sides determined to win their upcoming 2026-27 AFC Champions League Two Preliminary Qualifier at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata on 12 August 2026.

With the Red & Gold Brigade having home advantage on their side, they’re determined to be inspired from their fans support to oust the strong Kuwaiti side and qualify for the AFC Champions League Two group stages for the first time in their history.

The Stakes

East Bengal

For East Bengal, the beginning of the 2026-27 season has marked a new era. After Oscar Bruzon inspired them to win the 2025-26 Indian Super League (ISL) title, there have been many changes and they’re now being led by Antonio Habas.

For the Spanish gaffer, the major priority will be to help East Bengal reach the ACL Two group stages – but he is aware of the challenging task ahead. The Torchbearers need to maintain a really sturdy shape to combat Al-Arabi’s threat and go toe-to-toe with them in the key battles.

Moreover, they also need to be combative and clinical in the attack to be able to get a big result. East Bengal are aware that a win over Al-Arabi to qualify for the ACL Two groups will be a huge result for them so early in the campaign and raise the morale levels in the squad.

A bad defeat, however, would be a bitter set-back that the gaffer wouldn’t want at this stage of the campaign.

Al-Arabi SC

Al-Arabi SC are one of the oldest clubs in Kuwait football and they definitely have a lot of continental football experience in their arsenal as well. Indeed, Al-Arabi have played in many editions of AFC’s competitions – including the AFC Cup and AFC Champions League in the past and they’re determined to play in the newly remodeled ACL Two for the first time in this campaign.

The Castle of Trophies, as they’re nicknamed, will be respectful of East Bengal’s threat and the kind of pressure they can bring to the game at their own yard.

However, Al-Arabi will look to put their opponents under pressure by being an energetic, proactive bunch in the key areas and also be incisive in the final third to outwit the East Bengal players.

Al-Arabi are aware that a win would mark major success as it’ll help them qualify for the ACL Two group stages, but a defeat to East Bengal would mean another bitter pill to swallow.

Team News

East Bengal are going to have some notable absentees for this clash. Their new Spanish defender Nacho Monsalve is a major doubt after suffering a knee issue in a recent Durand Cup game.

Boris Singh and Danish Farooq are unlikely to feature in this one as they are still working on their fitness. Striker Effiong Nsungusi is yet to join up with the East Bengal camp ahead of this clash.

Al-Arabi should have a fully fit squad available as they gear up to play their first competitive match under Croatian gaffer Goran Sabilic.

Head-to-Head Record

This will be the first time that East Bengal and Al-Arabi SC will face each other in a continental clash.

Predicted Lineups

East Bengal (4-2-3-1)

Prabhsukhan Gill (GK), Hardik Bhatt, Anwar Ali, Lalchungnunga, Sandeep Mandi, Jeakson Singh, Mohammed Rashid, Dani Ramirez, Bipin Singh, Chris Ikonomidis, Edmund Lalrindika

Al-Arabi SC (4-2-3-1)

Sulaiman Abdulghafoor (GK), Mohammed Khaled, Jumma Abboud, Abdullah Essa, Hamad Al-Qallaf, Khaled Al-Marshed, Ali Porusaniei, Hassimi Fadiga, Yousef Majed, Anayo Iwuala, Zaid Qunbar

Players to Watchout

Dani Ramirez (East Bengal)

As someone who has been roped in as the replacement for the inspiring Miguel Figueira at East Bengal for the 2026-27 season, there is quite a bit of pressure on Dani Ramirez to perform in the big matches for them.

The Spaniard has already gotten a few appearances for the Kolkata giants in the Durand Cup, even scoring in their recent win over South United. Ramirez can be a really proactive figure in the opposition half, as he’s someone who loves having the ball on his feet for him to dictate moves for his side.

He’ll need to be commanding with his forward passes, being clever with his execution to be able to move his side into the danger zones. Ramirez really needs to be clutch with his final third passes to set up prominent scoring chances, as well as nailing his set-piece accuracy as well.

Moreover, Ramirez will also be urged to be clinical with his finishing to be able to guide East Bengal to a win.

Hassimi Fadiga (Al-Arabi SC)

Just like Dani Ramirez will play an important role in the East Bengal midfield, Hassimi Fadiga is also going to be a force to be reckoned with in the Al-Arabi SC side. The Frenchman has been an influential player for the Kuwait side after joining them last year, settling in rather well and being quite consistent with his goal contributions too.

Fadiga is someone who really loves being involved in intense duels and also be able to move the ball around in the key areas in the opposition half.

He’ll need to be proactive with his work to be able to derail East Bengal’s movement and also help his side dominate possession.

Fadiga needs to be clever with his final passes to be able to create innovative chances, and he’ll also look to get at the end of more goal-scoring opportunities to be able to guide Al-Arabi to the ACL Two group stages in style.

Did you know?

• Dani Ramirez is the product of the Real Madrid youth academy, having made over 100 appearances for their reserve team as well.
• Al-Arabi SC reached the semi-finals of the 2024-25 AFC Challenge League, losing to eventful winners FK Arkadag.
• East Bengal’s best finish in an AFC competition is reaching the semifinals of the AFC Cup in 2013, where they actually lost to Kuwaiti side Al-Kuwait.

Telecast Details

The AFC Champions League Two Preliminary qualifier clash between East Bengal and Al-Arabi SC will take place on Wednesday, 12 August (2026) at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata.

The match will kick off at 7 PM IST. It is poised to be streamed live on Fancode.

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