East Bengal vs Al-Hussein SC Match Preview - Team News, Lineups | AFC Champions League Two
The Torchbearers will play their first match in the AFC Champions League Two on 16th September
The 2025-26 Indian Super League (ISL) champions, East Bengal FC, are set to play their first match in the intercontinental club competition away from home against Jordanian club Al-Hussein SC at the Amman International Stadium in Jordan. The match is set to start at 9:30 PM IST.
The Torchbearers qualified for the League’s preliminary round by winning the Indian domestic league. In the preliminary rounds. They had to face just 1 opponent in order to qualify for the AFC Champions League Two 2026-27. In their only match of the qualifiers, they defeated Kuwaiti side Al Arabi SC 4-1.
In this article, we will look at the stakes for both of the teams in this match, their predicted lineups, team news and players to watch out for in this match.
The Stakes
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East Bengal FC
The stakes for East Bengal have never been higher. With a lot of changes on and off the field, the Red and Gold Brigade. Having returned to the Intercontinental club competition for the first time after a decade, East Bengal would want to hit the ground running with a win against Al Hussein.
The Torchbearers have made a managerial change as Oscar Bruzon left the club at the end of the 2025-26 season. In his stead, East Bengal acquired the services of 2 time ISL winning Head Coach Antonio Lopez Habas.
The Spaniard and his team have already shown their skills and performance at the 2026-27 Durand Cup, as the team went on to win the prestigious trophy. Habas and his Men powered through the tournament with an emphatic 4-1 win in the final against bitter rivals Mohun Bagan SG.
To keep up their momentum from the Durand Cup, the Torchbearers need to win this match to help with their chances of not only progressing further into the league, but also aiding their domestic season. All of the tactical brilliance of the Spaniard would be required in order to defeat the Jordanian club, Al Hussein.
This will be the first match that the team will play in this tournament under their new manager, Antonio Lopez Habas.
Al Hussein SC
The Jordanian club have managed to win their domestic title 3 years in a row. The team will be looking for a match to lift up their spirits based on their 2 matches in the Jordanian Pro League.
Al-Hussein lost their first match of the season to Al-Jazeera Club with a scoreline of 5-0. In their second match of the season, Al-Hussein drew 0-0 with Al-Baqa’a SC. The 3 time champions have had a very disappointing start to the season. The team will be looking for a change of scenery and morale.
Playing against a unique and different team than what they are used to can help the team to start fresh. The team will surely want to improve on their previous run in the AFC Champions League Two, where, despite finishing top of their group in the league stages, the team got knocked out in the Quarter Finals by losing 3-1 in their match against Saudi side Al-Ahli.
This will also the team’s first match in the tournament with their Head Coach Ahmad Hayel.
Read More: Three ways Ake Arnaud Loba can strengthen East Bengal’s attacking threat
Team News
Md Bashim Rashid has a minor problem; although he was not seen training, he may travel with the team to Jordan. PV Vishnu will travel with the team to Jordan. Chris Ikonomidis has been getting fit and is now ready to feature in the first match of the tournament.
Al-Hussein seem to be all fit and geared up to play their first match in this AFC Champions League Two campaign.
Head-to-Head
This will be the first time that East Bengal and Al-Hussein SC will face each other in a continental clash.
Predicted Lineups
East Bengal FC (4-2-3-1):
Prabhsukhan Gill (GK), Hardik Bhatt, Anwar Ali, Diego Zivulic, Jay Gupta, Mohamad Basim Rashid, Jeakson Singh, Dani Ramirez, Bipin Singh, Chris Ikonomidis, Edmund Lalrindika.
Al-Hussein SC (4-3-3)
Mahmoud Al-Kawamleh (GK), Abdallah Nasib, Pedro Henrique, Ali Hajabi, Ahmad Hassaf, Mahmoud Shawkat, Yousef Qashi, Mahmoud Deeb, Mahmoud Al-Mardi, Aref Al-Haj, Brayan Riascos.
Players to Watchout
Anwar Ali (East Bengal FC)
Anwar Ali will be key to Habas’ defensive strategies. The Punjab-born defender has made a name in the ISL and in Indian Football.
Anwar Ali has the opportunity to showcase how well he can perform against better opponents. The 26-year-old has a perfect mix of experience and skill, and his understanding of the game has become much better. His ability to recover a lost ball, or to play a defensive line-breaking pass, has only gotten better over time. Now with silverware to show for his skills, Anwar Ali could not have a better opportunity than the AFC Champions League Two to further improve himself in every way possible.
Pedro Henrique (Al-Hussein SC)
During his short stint at the Jordanian club, the Brazilian has made a name for himself as the saviour for Al-Hussein. His knowledge and ability to read plays are supreme.
Pedro stops attacks before they turn into threats by jumping in early to make tackles and challenges. His speed only aids his recovery skills, and his long-range passing skills are a show to watch. The 25-year-old centre-back has been one of the most important players in the recent success of the Jordanian club.
Telecast Details
The AFC Champions League Two Matchday 1 clash between Al-Hussein SC and East Bengal FC will take place on 16th September, 9:30 PM IST at the Amman International Stadium in Jordan.
The match will be telecasted live on the FanCode app.
Who is East Bengal playing in their first match of AFC Champions League Two?
East Bengal is playing Al-Hussein in their first match of AFC Champions League Two.
When and Where can I watch the match between East Bengal and Al-Hussein?
The AFC Champions League Two Matchday 1 clash between Al-Hussein SC and East Bengal FC will take place on 16th September, 9:30 PM IST, it can be viewed live on the FanCode app.
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