How can East Bengal FC line up against Al-Arabi SC in AFC Champions League Two Preliminary Stage?
Nacho & Effiong likely to miss the AFC clash.
East Bengal FC are gearing up for this season’s ultimate test as they return to the Asian stage with the AFC Champions League Two Preliminary Round game against Kuwait side Al-Arabi SC.
The match is scheduled to kick off on Wednesday, August 12th, 2026, at 19:00 IST at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) Stadium, Kolkata, where both teams will battle it out to qualify for the group stage in the competition.
East Bengal FC enjoyed the spell when they played in the AFC Challenge League during the 2024-25 season under their former coach Oscar Bruzon, as they topped their group by beating Paro FC, Nejmeh and Basundhara Kings but got denied the title as they were defeated by Turkmenistan’s club FK Arkadag.
Right now, the scenario has completely changed, as the Red & Gold are the new ISL champions and will look to continue their football under a new coaching system, with Antonio Lopez Habas bringing much more experience in Indian football.
In this article, we take a look at the possible starting line-up for their match against Al-Arabi SC.
Prabhsukhan Singh Gill – GK
The last line of defence of East Bengal FC has been one of the key parts for them in the ISL 2025-26 season, as Prabhsukhan enjoyed his form and saved some crucial goals, which led the Torchbearers to lift their first ever Indian Super League trophy. And for the AFC Champions League Two Preliminary Stage match against Al-Arabi, his contribution is much needed for Antonio Lopez Habas’s side.
He has the ability to stop the ball and dictate the leadership with momentum, and Gill is purely a dominant goalkeeping option for East Bengal, who has the knack of something different from the other keepers like Gaurab Shaw and Lachenpa.
Talking about the other goalkeeping option, the newest signing from Mumbai City FC, Lachenpa, is also a very good leader from the back.
Jay Gupta – LB
Jay Gupta obviously become an instant starter as he joined the team in 2025-26 season from FC Goa but he didn’t show that much of promise in his one year spell from the left back option but in the next game of AFC, Jay Gupta could be very versatile option for the Red & Gold army as he can play both as an attacking wide back also maintain the defensive shape quite well.
He can play with an extra role alongside their two defenders, and it is very obvious that East Bengal will play with a possible all Indian backline, and Gupta might play an integral part of that.
Sandip Mandi – CB
The new recruit from Inter Kashi FC, who mainly plays as a proper left back, but for East Bengal FC, very often in the Durand Cup, has mostly acted like a centre back option, Sandip Mandi did pretty well for the Red & Gold.
Antonio Lopez Habas knew him very well because he was part of the Kashi batch when Habas led the Banaras side to the I-League trophy, and now he has become the starter for East Bengal under the Spanish coach again. The Bengal-born boy could be an effective player to play against an experienced team like Al-Arabi.
Anwar Ali – CB
Nacho Monsalve may have suffered an injury and now is likely to miss the vital AFC game on 12th August. And that’s why the Moshal boys could play the game with an all Indian backline, which might haunt them, but Anwar Ali, the best defender of the squad, looks to lead the defensive line for them alongside Sandip Mandi.
Anwar Ali is the most consistent performer of the squad, as he played the best brand of football in terms of defending last season, as his combination with Kevin was deadly. And now, against a team like Al-Arabi, he could prove his value again with his performance.
Boris Singh – RB
After suffering an injury after joining East Bengal from FC Goa, Boris has been side-lined and now reports suggest that he is fit enough to play the game against the Kuwait side in the AFC Champions League Two Preliminary Round on 12th August.
A proper right back like him can elevate the team’s performance to a very high note, and for backup, they have Hardik Bhhatt and Lalchunnunga.
MD Rashid – CDM
The most important position of a squad is their midfield or a pivot who usually connects the defence line with the attack system and MD Rashid is that kind of player for East Bengal FC who lifted the ISL trophy with them last season and will play an important role against the Kuwaiti club.
With the dynamic role and intelligent movement during the game and his passing and game reading, Rashid made himself very special from others.
Rashid has to be an energetic machine in the midfield, cutting down opponents’ moves with his tough-tackling, duel-winning nature. He’ll also look to be quick with moving the ball forward and try to be effective from set-pieces to raise East Bengal’s goal-scoring ability.
Jeakson Singh – CM
Jeakson Singh will be a player to look out for under Antonio Lopez Habas’ system, as the Spanish tactician likes to operate the game from the midfield, and he has acted with the team more often with a mid-block, which is defensively very sharp and relies on transitions.
And for that kind of squad, a proper number 8 like Jeakson Singh could be very pivotal and might play a big part against Al-Arabi.
Also Read: AFC Champions League Two Preliminary Stage East Bengal FC’s Rival Watch: Al-Arabi SC
Dani Ramirez – CAM
Dani Ramirez’s experience in big games will be very useful as East Bengal are ready to lock horns against Al-Arabi on 12th August. In the recent match of the Durand Cup against South United FC, Ramirez scored a beautiful opening goal that curled in through the top bar and made every Moshal fan speechless.
After the departure of Miguel, the vacant area of an attacking creative playmaker might be filled after they have roped in the former Punjab FC player.
He has the ability to run the game and create chances for the three forwards, which could end up becoming a match-winning goal.
Bipin Singh – RW
From the very right, the rapid and the most experienced player in the Indian football circuit, Bipin Singh, led the line as he has been one of the best players for the Red & Gold in the last season and against a tough opponent like Al-Arabi, he can play a very vital role.
With the pace and energy, game reading sense and not only that, the dribbling & finishing abilities make him very important and very dangerous for the opponents.
Rohit Danu – LW
A very energetic player down the left wing for East Bengal FC, Rohit Danu has impressed in the Durand Cup, and with his rapid energy and pace, he can dribble past the opposition defence with ease.
Rohit Danu, the former Kashi side player who has been very good under Lopez Habas, might play his first-ever AFC game against the Kuwait club.
Edmund Lalrindika – ST
Edmund Lalrindika has proven to be a breath of fresh air in the East Bengal attack in the last season, adding a lot more flair and unpredictability to their moves as he will look to be a play smart and with a high-risk, high-reward manner against the Al-Arabi backline because he is very cunning in front of the goal.
He not only creates chances but somehow manages to be a breakout star for any team, and under Habas, he flourished the most in his Inter Kashi days.
When will East Bengal FC play Al-Arabi SC?
East Bengal FC will face Kuwait’s Al-Arabi in the AFC Champions League Two Preliminary Stage on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. The match will be played at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK Stadium) in Kolkata.
Who is the head coach of East Bengal FC?
Antonio Lopez Habas is the head coach of East Bengal FC.
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Rohit Mistri is a sports journalist from Kolkata with over two years of experience in the field. He has extensively covered Indian football, including major tournaments such as the Calcutta Football League and the Indian Super League. His work spans on-ground reporting, match coverage, and in-depth storytelling, along with interviews of prominent sporting personalities. Rohit brings strong communication skills and a deep passion for sports narratives to everything he writes.