Top 3 East Bengal FC players to watch out for against Al-Arabi SC

A tough test awaits the Red & Gold Brigade at VYBK on 12th August

The history continues with East Bengal FC, who have again got the chance to test themselves in the Asian Stage as they have qualified for the AFC Champions League Two qualifiers and are set to face Kuwaiti club Al-Arabi SC, and this might be a great opportunity for the Red & Gold Brigade after they have won the ISL 2025-26 title.

East Bengal FC are set to lock horns against Kuwait giants Al-Arabi SC, with both sides determined to win their upcoming 2026-27 AFC Champions League Two Preliminary Qualifier at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata, on 12 August 2026. The match is scheduled to kick off at 19:00 IST, so all fans can enjoy their favourite team’s game from the stadium, and home fans can also watch the game on the Fancode application.

This will be a great chance to prove the team’s worth on one of the greatest footballing stages after they have conquered the national league last season under Oscar Bruzon after a long 22 years, and from right after that, many players have also left their camp. But as the team builds with confidence, they bring in an experienced coach like Antonio Lopez Habas and remain intact with their core team despite losing some of their important players and also bring in many Indian and foreign players to help out the team.

But there were many concerns also as the East Bengal FC didn’t count on their various foreign players as their newest recruit, Nacho, the defender from Spain has injured and didn’t show up for the team’s training session, and that’s why East Bengal FC might start their game with an all Indian backline.

In those big games like this and big nights like the AFC, many players come up big time and prove their value to the fans and pour all the passion for their crest, and for the Torchbearers their are several game-changing players available, but here we can talk about three players who can be the standouts from this game.

3. Anwar Ali

Anwar Ali has been one of the most consistent and dominant players for East Bengal FC in the last ISL season as his performance played a key role in winning the ISL title for the first time, and also solid from the back led the team to break the 22 years old curse and lift the national league.

With the solid defensive attributes he has, Anwar Ali has proven himself in every single aspect of the game and talking about this season, he also looks promising with the ball and without the ball, he led the team with his leadership qualities.

Against a tough side like Al-Arabi SC, who have many exciting players on their squad list who can thrive on the attacking transitions, the role of Anwar Ali will automatically get updated and he looks to stay calm and composed with the ball and needs to be very focused to guide his potential defensive partner Sandip Mandi, throughout the game as he is the new player from the transfer window.

Anwar Ali and his physical presence might play a big part for East Bengal as opponents will try to figure out to play with their physical style and from that occasion Anwar could rise up and play for his side in the big game at home.

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.

2. Dani Ramirez

Dani Ramirez delivers an incredible performance for East Bengal FC as he gets his first start for the club in the Durand Cup 2026 and after scoring the first goal with his left foot, he left his mark, and all the Moshal Brigade fans must be very happy with his inclusion. 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. 

He has the ability to run the game and create chances for the three forwards, which could end up becoming a match-winning goal and not only that he can purely fill the gap what was left behind after the departure of their Miguel Figueira, as he joined their arch-rivals Mohun Bagan ahead of the new season and also started training.

The former Punjab FC midfielder who sparked the ISL 2025-26 season with his great and relentless creativity and work rate might be a key player for Red & Gold ahead of their game against Al-Arabi SC.

1. MD Rashid

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. The player who played a big part in terms of winning the ISL title for the Red & Gold Brigade somehow gained his possibility towards his supporters as he retained and maintained his position in this team despite many other players having left the club going into the new 2026-27 season.

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.

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