East Bengal FC vs Al-Shorta Preview - Lineups, Team News | AFC Champions League Two 2026-27

VYBK is set to host the continental clash

East Bengal are set to play their first home match of the 2026-27 AFC Champions League Two campaign when they host Iraqi giants AL-Shorta at the Salt Lake Stadium (Kolkata) on Tuesday, 13 October (2026).

After getting an encouraging point on the road in their opening match of the group stages, the Torchbearers look to produce another inspired display against a sturdy Al-Shorta side – who look to maintain their 100% winning record with a big performance in their travels to Kolkata.

The Stakes

East Bengal

Even though East Bengal were not able to fight their way to a win in their opening 2026-27 ACL Two clash, they were able to get an admirable point against Al-Hussein. Now, Antonio Habas is hoping that his side can build on that match and produce another efficient performance in their clash against Al-Shorta.

East Bengal will need to make good use of their home field advantage in this upcoming clash, as they’ll have to work hard defensively to neutralise the Iraqi side’s threat and be in control of key areas in the match.

The Indian Super League (ISL) heavyweights also need to be decisive in the final product and convert their opportunities in a compelling fashion to be able to produce a thrilling display in front of their fans.

A possible win for East Bengal will be a huge morale booster for the players and show how good this group really is. However, suffering a crushing loss in their first home match of the continental competition will be a bitter disappointment that Habas will want to avoid.

Al-Shorta

Al-Shorta were able to flex their strengths in the opening matchweek of the 2026-27 ACL Two campaign with a gritty win over Al-Seeb at home. However, they’ll now face a much different and challenging task away from home in facing this unpredictable East Bengal side in their upcoming clash.

Al-Shorta are unbeaten in their last eight competitive matches heading into their battle against East Bengal, and will look to keep that good run going.

The Iraq Stars League giants will need to be innovative and precise with their attacking rhythm, being able to create big chances and convert them effectively. They’ll also need to keep their commanding defensive shape to be able to keep another clean sheet in the competition.

Another win for Al-Shorta will put them in a strong position to win the group, but a draw or loss could be particularly frustrating for them.

Team News

Naorem Mahesh Singh remains a long-term absentee for the East Bengal side. Habas is also going to miss striker Effiong Nsungusi, who is yet to join the squad.

Al-Shorta should have a full squad available for themselves in the upcoming clash against East Bengal in Kolkata.

Head-to-Head Record

This will mark the first-ever meeting in continental competition between East Bengal and Al-Shorta.

Predicted Lineups

East Bengal (4-4-1-1)

Prabhsukhan Gill (GK), Hardik Bhatt, David Zivulic, Anwar Ali, Jay Gupta, Mohammed Rashid, Jeakson Singh, Bipin Singh, PV Vishnu, Dani Ramirez, Lukasz Zwolinski

Al-Shorta (4-2-3-1)

Jalal Hassan (GK), Ahmad Zero, Ruben Ramirez, Maytham Jabbar, Ahmed Yahya, Abdoul Moumouni, Cristian Barco, Kingsley Kuku, Bassam Shakir, Hussein Al Saedi, Leonel Ateba

Players to Watchout

Dani Ramirez (East Bengal)

Dani Ramirez was a positive influence for East Bengal in their recent draw against Al-Hussein in the AFC Champions League Two opener, being a thorn in the opposition’s side with his proactive presence in the opposition half. Ramirez was able to score his side’s first goal of the tournament in style against Al-Hussein, and he’ll need to be at his influential best for them to defeat Al-Shorta as well.

Ramirez has to be unpredictable with his movement in the opposition half and also make sure he can get the ball into the danger zones as well.

The Spanish midfielder needs to be particularly decisive with his final-third passes, being able to send in quality balls into the middle for his teammates to pounce on. He’ll also need to be smart with his movement to get to the end of chances and finish them off clinically to help East Bengal get a positive result.

Kingsley Kuku (Al-Shorta)

Kingsley Kuku is also an influential driving force for Al-Shorta in the attacking sector and will look to be a thorn in their side in the clash against East Bengal. The Nigerian attacking midfielder was able to score 18 goals for his side in the 2025-26 Iraq Stars League and is hungry to get amongst the goals in the AFC Champions League Two for his side as well.

Kuku will look to help link up smartly with his teammates, getting the ball into the empty spaces for them to pounce on and put more pressure on the hosts. However, Kuku will also need to be particularly clever with his off-the-ball runs to get himself into more goal-scoring positions smartly and be able to convert opportunities in an efficient fashion to enable Al-Shorta to get a big win.

Did you know?

• East Bengal forward Ake Loba won the CONCACAF Champions League title with CF Monterrey in 2021.
• Al-Shorta have won the Iraqi Stars League on eight separate occasions, including four times since the 2021-22 season.
• Bhaichung Bhutia remains East Bengal’s all-time top scorer in continental football, having scored 11 goals for them in Asian competitions.

Telecast Details

The AFC Champions League Two 2026-27 match between East Bengal and Al-Shorta will take place on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata.

The match will kick off at 7:15 PM IST. It will be shown live on the Fancode app.

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