East Bengal vs Altyn Asyr Preview, predicted lineup, injury news, H2H, telecast details | AFC Champions League Two Preliminary Stage

The Red & Gold Brigade will qualify for the ACL 2 group stage with a win.

East Bengal are looking to secure qualification into the 2024-25 AFC Champions League 2 group stages when they host Turkmenistan heavyweights Altyn Asyr at the Salt Lake Stadium on Wednesday (August 14).

The Red & Gold Brigade needs to win this one-off playoff Qualifier to earn a place in the first-ever ACL 2 edition. But they will not have it easy against a side that were the 2018 AFC Cup runners-up and have quite regularly played in continental competitions over the last decade or so. Carles Cuadrat needs his side motivated and hungry enough to produce a clinical performance and earn a place in the ACL 2 group stages.

The Stakes

East Bengal

After having won the 2024 Super Cup title, East Bengal developed the ambition to excel in Asia and will be determined to play in the ACL 2 rather than the AFC Challenge Cup.

The Red & Gold Brigade have not played in continental competition since the 2014-15 season but will be determined to fight with some of Asia’s strongest teams in ACL 2. Fortunately for Carles Cuadrat, his team will have home advantage and he’ll need the players to feed off their fan’s bubbling energy to get the win.

East Bengal have started the new campaign positively with two big wins in the Durand Cup and will hope to maintain that momentum against Altyn Asyr. A win can be a huge boost to East Bengal’s ambitions of competing in the best tournaments this season. A loss would mean for them to play in the AFC Challenge Cup and a club of their stature wouldn’t want to settle for a place in Asia’s third competition.

Altyn Asyr

Altyn Asyr were only formed in 2008, but have had an impressive rise in Turkmenistan football and made a mark in the AFC competitions too. The record eight-time Yokary Liga champions have a decent amount of experience in playing continental competitions and are determined to secure their place in the AFC Champions League 2 group stages.

Altyn Asyr will pile on the pressure on East Bengal by playing some aggressive attacking football and troubling Cuadrat’s side with their unpredictability. A win against the Kolkata heavyweights at their yard will give a huge boost to Altyn Asyr before the start of the new campaign. A loss, would mean they’d have to play in the Challenge Cup and that would be quite embarrassing for an ambitious side like them.

Injury & Team News

Cleiton Silva might end up missing this key AFC Champions 2 qualifier due to an injury. Altyn Asyr are likely to bring their strongest squad to Kolkata for this clash.

Head-to-Head

This is the first time that these two teams will meet each other in a competitive football match.

Predicted Lineups

East Bengal (4-2-3-1)

Prabhsukhan Gill; Mohammed Rakip, Hijazi Maher, Lalchungnunga, Mark Zothanpuia; Jeakson Singh, Saul Crespo; Naorem Mahesh Singh, Mahdi Talal, Nandhakumar Sekar; Dimitrios Diamantakos

Altyn Asyr (4-3-3)

Batyr Babaev (GK); Khoshgeldy Khozhovov, Zafar Babazhanov, Ruslan Taydzhiev, Oraz Orazov; Ahmet Ataýew, Arslan Saparov, Murat Annaev; Rakhman Muratberdyev, Selim Nurmuradov, Vakhyt Orazsakhedov

Players to Watch

Madih Talal (East Bengal)

Last season, East Bengal lacked that extra spark in their attacking midfield position, in a player who could consistently score or assist goals. Well, they’ve solved that issue by roping in Madih Talal, who has settled in nicely to Carles Cuadrat’s system. Talal has impressed in the first few matches, scoring a goal in the two Durand Cup games and creating a plethora of chances.

He’ll need to be at his unpredictable, decisive best for the Red & Gold Brigaders to run riot on the Turkmenistan side. The Frenchman is a unique player who can create something out of nothing in the opposition box, with his creative final third passes and eye for spotting teammates in empty spaces making him stand out. He’ll need to nail his final delivery and also look to get at the end of chances to help East Bengal secure a big win and make himself an even more beloved character among the fans.

Selim Nurmuradov (Altyn Asyr)

The Turkmenistan international is arguably Altyn Asyr’s biggest attacking threat and one player that the East Bengal backline must keep a close eye on. Nurmuradov had a pretty good outing in the 2023-24 AFC Cup for his side, scoring two goals in five group-stage games and producing some bright performances.  He is versatile enough to slot in easily in both the wide areas and also perform as a centre-back.

Nurmuradov’s clever off-the-ball movement and ability to outwit defenders make him a major threat, while he also boasts some impressive finishing ability to hurt teams. He’ll look to be at his clinical best against East Bengal and make the most of any chances that come his way to help his side book a place in the first-ever ACL 2 edition.

Did you know?

• East Bengal are among only three Indian clubs to have reached the semi-finals of the AFC Cup in its history.
• Altyn Asyr are owned and operated by the Türkmenaragatnaşyk Agency of the Ministry of Industry and Communication of Turkmenistan.
• Carles Cuadrat witnessed his Bengaluru FC side lose to Altyn Asyr in the 2018 AFC Cup inter-zonal play-off semi-finals.

Telecast Details

The AFC Champions 2 qualifier playoff clash between East Bengal and Altyn Asyr will be held at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata on August 14, 2024. The match will be telecasted on Bengali news channel, Zee 24 Ghanta.

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