Oscar Bruzon blames East Bengal FC-'s 'self-destruction issues' after AFC Challenge League elimination to FK Arkadag

The Spaniard shared his honest analysis of his side’s elimination from the continental tournament.

East Bengal FC head coach Oscar Bruzon sustained a heartbreaking exit from the 2024-25 AFC Challenge League after a 2-1 loss to FK Arkadag at the Arkadag Stadium, Turkmenistan, on Wednesday (12 March 2025).

Despite taking a very early lead in the game through Raphael Messi Bouli, bringing the tie level to 1-1, things went down for the Red & Gold Brigade after that.

Things went downhill for East Bengal FC after their bright start

Lalchungnunga was sent off in the 33rd minute, giving an advantage to the hosts. East Bengal created many big chances in a positive first-half display but lost their steam after the break. Substitute Altymyrat Annadurdyýew turned out to be decisive for his side.

He scored a penalty in the 89th minute and a winning goal in stoppage time to take his side to the semi-finals of the AFC Challenge League.

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Oscar Bruzon felt the Torchbearers were the better side

Oscar Bruzon praised his players for their efforts in the game and insisted that he believed his side was the better-performing team in the tie. After the clash, he stated, “Congratulations to Arkadag on the win. I think that both teams were really open to both sides. We have had enough problems all through this season that in all the big games, critical moments, decisions, and details – they have been standing against us.

“We are a club having some self-destruction issues; I don’t accept the result. The boys did their best even though the game was influenced by external decisions from the referee from the first minute. It is difficult for us to accept this loss. I felt we were the better side in both games, but Arkadag is going through, so congratulations to them,” he added.

East Bengal will now have a lengthy gap period in the final stages of the 2024-25 season. They failed to qualify for the Indian Super League (ISL) playoffs but will participate in the 2025 Super Cup in April. Oscar Bruzon hopes to get the best out of his players in the competition and looks to help his side end their campaign with silverware.

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