East Bengal FC vs FK Arkadag lineups, team news, prediction & preview

The Turkmenistan champions and the Torchbearers are competing with each other for the first time.

Indian Super League (ISL) club East Bengal FC are set to host FK Arkadag in the first leg of their AFC Challenge League quarterfinal clash at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata on Wednesday (5 March 2025).

The Red & Gold Brigade will be responsible for representing Indian football in a bright light with an energetic, clinical performance against the Turkmenistan club.

The visitors will be keen to compound further misery on the home side after the end of the playoff dreams for the 2024-25 season. With the fixture having two legs, the aim for Arkadag will be to take an early advantage away from home.

The Stakes

East Bengal FC

Oscar Bruzon’s side witnessed their Indian Super League (ISL) playoffs dreams dashed with their recent 1-1 draw against Bengaluru FC. However, they must recover strongly to make a valiant effort in the continental clash. East Bengal impressed in the AFC Challenge League group stages, but the difficulty level has increased with the knockout stages. They must be resilient enough to keep the Turkmenistan side at bay and not allow them to run the show at the Salt Lake Stadium.

Bruzon has to motivate his players to work their socks off and cover more ground than the opposition players to frustrate them. If Esat Bengal can hold off Arkadag’s threat and be clinical in converting chances, they can get a result. A win can be a huge momentum booster for the players and keep their dreams alive of making it deeper into the knockout rounds. A draw will not be the worst result, but a loss can significantly dent their confidence.

FK Arkadag

Unlike East Bengal, FK Arkadag is only in the starting stages of its new season. Their players might not be at their sharpest and will not take East Bengal’s challenge for granted. However, they are hopeful that the quality of their Turkmenistan players will help them run the show in East Bengal’s yard. FK Arkadag will not sit back, hoping to get a result, and will take the fight to the ISL side.

They will play on the front foot, hoping to torment the Torchbearers with quick, innovative attacking moves to bamboozle their backline. Arkadag can create significant damage if too much freedom and room are allowed in the opposition box. A win can help them take a significant step forward into the next rounds, with the second leg at their home. However, a crushing loss can create a nervous situation they would not want.

Team & Injury News

East Bengal FC has ruled out starting center-back Anwar Ali from the upcoming game, who was substituted early on against Bengaluru FC in their last ISL game.

FK Arkadag, however, are expected to have a fully fit unit available for this match.

Head-to-Head

The game will be the first time East Bengal and FK Arkadag meet each other in an AFC game.

Probable Lineups

East Bengal FC (4-2-3-1)

Prabhsukhan Gill, Mohamed Rakip, Hector Yuste, Lalchhungunga, Nishu Kumar, Souvik Chakrabarti, Saul Crespo, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Raphael Messi Bouli, Richard Celis, Dimitrios Diamantakos

FK Arkadag (4-2-3-1)

Rustem Ahallyyev (GK), Ybraýym Mämmedow, Mekan Saparov, Guychmyrat Annagulyyev Abdy Byashimov, Resul Khozhaev, Mirza Beknazarov, Sanazar Tirkishov, Arslanmurad Amanov, Begench Akmammedov, Didar Durdyyev

Players to Watch

Raphael Messi Bouli (East Bengal FC)

Raphael Messi Bouli has proven to be a breath of fresh air for East Bengal. He only joined them in February as Hijazi Maher’s replacement and was taken to the club like fish to water. The 32-year-old has been an energetic figure in the opposition half for the Torchbearers, with his energetic presence uplifting their entire attacking style. Messi Bouli has had three goal contributions (two goals, one assist) in five ISL games and is heading into the game against Arkadag in top form.

He must produce something special for the ISL side to breach the Turkmenistan side’s defence and cause them problems. Messi Bouli must continue being energetic, constantly moving around the empty pockets to desynchronize the opposition’s backline. He must also nail his final passes to his fellow forwards to help East Bengal create chances. The 32-year-old must also be ruthless in finishing off whatever chances he gets to inspire the East Bengal frontline and help them get a positive result.

Arslanmurad Amanov (FK Arkadag)

Arslanmurad Amanov is blessed with much experience and has been one of the best players to have come out of Turkmenistan in the 21st century. The 34-year-old is still going strong as FK Arkadag’s captain and will look to be a thorn in East Bengal’s side. Amanov has 13 goals in 56 appearances for Turkmenistan and can be a dangerous customer in the opposition’s final third.

He will look to inspire his side by being a proactive figure in the East Bengal half, timing his runs perfectly to get into the empty spaces consistently. Amanov has two assists in three AFC Challenge League matches so far but will be craving more. He will look to nail his final delivery, putting chances on the plate for his teammates to pounce on. If the 34-year-old is given too much time to dictate things in the final third, he can cause an absolute nightmare for the East Bengal backline.

Did You Know?

• East Bengal scored nine goals in the AFC Challenge League group stages, the joint-highest for any team in the five groups.
• FK Arkadag was founded only in 2023 by Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, the second president of Turkmenistan.
• East Bengal have played three matches against teams from Turkmenistan (FK Nebitçi, FK Altyn Asyr), winning just one of those games.

Telecast Details

The first leg of the 2024-25 AFC Challenge League semi-final between East Bengal and FK Arkadag will take place at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata, on 5 March 2025. It will kick off at 7 PM IST.

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