East Bengal FC vs Nejmeh SC lineups, team news, prediction & preview | AFC Challenge League 2024-25

The Torchbearers will look to grab three points to qualify for the knockouts.

East Bengal FC head coach Oscar Bruzon will not settle for less than a win in their 2024-25 AFC Challenge League final group stage game against Nejmeh SC at the Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu on Friday (1 November).

With the two best second-placed teams progressing with the group leaders, the Red & Gold Brigade recognize the upcoming game as a must-win for them. The Torchbearers continue to endure horrible league form in the Indian Super League (ISL). They will be hoping a change in environment might trigger a twist of fate that helps them get a much-needed win against the Lebanese side.

The Stakes

East Bengal FC

Despite their perilous form in the ISL, Oscar Bruzon and his side have managed to acquire four points in two AFC Challenge League Group A games. Matchday 1 saw the Torchbearers come back down from a 2-1 deficit courtesy of a 69th-minute Dimitrios Diamantakos to equalize and make it 2-2. The team held on in the end to clinch a deserved point against a determined Paro FC.

Matchday 2 witnessed East Bengal capture their first win of the season in all competitions this season. They cruised to an emphatic 4-0 win over Bashundhara Kings courtesy of goals from Dimitrios Diamantakos, Souvik Chakrabarti, Nandhakumar Sekar and Anwar Ali.

The win might have re-instilled belief into this East Bengal side looking to kick some life into their season. A loss, however, against Nejmeh SC could almost certainly finish their AFC Challenge League campaign.

ALSO READ: How East Bengal FC can qualify for knockout stages in AFC Challenge League?

Nejmeh SC

The Lebanese side will probably be the favorites as they will face an under-performing East Bengal side. They’re in high spirits themselves after having won both their opening AFC Challenge League games. Matchday 1 saw the Lebanese side face Bashundhara Kings, with only a single goal settling the tie. An own goal by Kings defender Saad Uddin came following a threatening ball by Hassan Kourani into the box.

Matchday 2 saw Nejmeh SC seal their place in the knockout stages following a 2-1 over Paro FC. The game was settled courtesy of goals from Hassan Kourani and Mahdi Zein who dashed away any late Paro FC comebacks. East Bengal will have their hands full against Nejmeh SC, who have been flat-out getting things done in the AFC Challenge League this season.

Injury and Team News

Both teams are expected to have the option of picking from fully fit squads for their final AFC Challenge League games with no injuries to report.

Head-to-Head

Matches Played: 2

East Bengal Wins: 0

Nejmeh SC Wins: 2

Draws: 0

Predicted Lineups

East Bengal (4-2-3-1)

Prabhsukhan Gill (GK); Hector Yuste, Anwar Ali, Hijazi Maher, Provat Lakra; Saul Crespo, Jeakson Singh; Naorem Mahesh Singh, Madih Talal, Nandhakumar Sekar; Dimitrios Diamantakos

Nejmeh SC (4-4-2)

Ali Sabeh (GK); Ali Al-Rida Ismail, Kwabena Nyanteh, Kassem El-Zein, Mohamad Safwan; Baba Abdulai Musah Hussein Monzer, Rabih Ataya, Hassan Kourani; Nikal Al-Sabaggh, Collins Opare

Players to Watch

Dimitrios Diamantakos (East Bengal)

The Torchbearers will be looking at their Greek forward to get them going and get them into a sort of winning momentum. A prolific goal-scorer, Diamatankos, will determine the fate of their AFC Challenge League campaign against Nejmeh SC. Diamantakos looked sharp in his last Group A outing and has two goals in 2 Challenge League games. 

He needs to continue helping build up attacks with his clever passes and link-up play. Finishing his chances, and putting away goal-scoring opportunities will see the Greek forward add to his goal tally for the tournament.

Hassan Kourani (Nejmeh SC)

Hassan Kourani will be the player who will be pulling the strings for the Lebanese side against East Bengal FC. He has scored 2 goals in 3 games this season and will be a big threat to the Torchbearers’ defense.

The Lebanese midfielder is versatile enough to move around in the opposition area and has a magical left foot.

The 29-year-old Lebanese international can exploit the defensive weaknesses of EBFC, who have been leaking goals this season. Kourani’s early season form can tip things in Nejmeh SC’s favour and maybe all three points in their final AFC Challenge League game.

Did You Know?

• The AFC Challenge League is the second AFC competition in which East Bengal will play after the AFC Cup.
• Lebanon legends like Ali Hamam and Hassan Al Mohammad have played for Nejmeh SC in the past. Notably, Hamam made 45 appearances for the Lebanese national football team.
• East Bengal have had the worst start to an ISL season with six consecutive losses.

Telecast

The East Bengal vs Nejmeh SC match will take place on Friday (1 November) at the Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu.

The match will kick off at 3:30 PM IST and will be live-streamed on Bhutan Broadcasting Channel’s YouTube handle.

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