Will Oscar Bruzon's knowledge of Bashundhara Kings give East Bengal an edge in AFC Challenge Cup Clash?

East Bengal will be desperate to get all three points from the game.

Oscar Bruzon’s East Bengal are in search of their first win in the 2024-25 AFC Challenge League when they face off against Bangladeshi giants Bashundhara Kings on Tuesday (29 October). The Red & Gold Brigade are facing the team that was previously managed by their current head coach, Oscar Bruzon, who will have an interesting against the side he guided to five league titles.

Ahead of the AFC Challenge League clash, Oscar Bruzon opened up on the prospect of facing Bashundhara Kings in what is only his fourth match in charge of East Bengal. When asked about this team’s motivation heading into the match, Oscar Bruzon stated: “If we are not motivated to try to qualify into the knockouts of such a big competition, then we have a problem. Of course, all the boys are understanding the situation that we are in.

“We are talking about this every day and trying to boost the morale of our players, as tomorrow is a must-win game. Depending on the result of the previous game, perhaps a draw-in can make a draw okay to be allowed in the last round. But what is sure is tomorrow two teams will be disqualified.”

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Oscar Bruzon’s connection with Bashundhara Kings

Oscar Bruzon spent six years at the helm of Bashundhara Kings and was a major factor in their success during his stint. But upon being questioned if it’s an advantage to East Bengal to face the side he managed for a lengthy period in their upcoming clash, the Spaniard replied: “I do not know everything about Bashundhara kings. I knew what happened in the six years I was there, what is happening now is what they only know.

“We know some of their key players and we have ideas of their previous match but we don’t have all the understanding we would like to have as their seasons started two weeks ago. They changed a lot from the game plan I had for the last six years. Rather than focusing on our rival, we must focus on ourselves as it will depend on us and not on them,” he further stated.

East Bengal played out a 2-2 draw against Paro FC in their opening game of the AFC Challenge League. They are currently on a nine-match winless streak, which includes eight defeats and aim to get their first win under Bruzon by defeating Bashundhara Kings on Tuesday. If unable to do so, then the Red & Gold Brigade’s ambitions of making it to the knockout stages might be over.

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