East Bengal FC's record in AFC competitions

The Torchbearers reached the semifinals of the AFC Cup in 2013.

With the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season nearing its conclusion, it has been confirmed that East Bengal FC are out of the race for a playoff spot. Oscar Bruzon’s side is currently eighth in the league and can no longer finish in the coveted top-six spots.

However, the season is far from over for the Red and Gold Brigade regarding their title aspirations. Aside from the Super Cup that will be played in April, East Bengal are also playing in the AFC Challenge League, where they are one of the favourites to win the competition.

East Bengal return to the Asian stage! The Torch Bearers take on FK Arkadag tonight in the first leg of the AFC Challenge League at the VYBK! #IndianFootball #AFC #AFCChallengeCup #AFC #EastBengal #EBFCvsARK pic.twitter.com/McyMFdGMOQ

— Khel Now (@KhelNow) March 5, 2025

Being played for the first time, the AFC Challenge League is the third-tier competition in Asian club football. East Bengal won their group, picking up 7 points from their three games last year, and now they face Turkmenistan’s FK Arkadag in a two-legged quarterfinal tie.

The tournament can be a historic Asian campaign for East Bengal FC. However, they are no strangers to Asian football and participating in AFC competitions. Here is how the Red and Gold Brigade has performed in Asia.

Asian Club Championship

East Bengal’s first Asian foray came in the 1985-86 season when they participated in the Asian Club Championship. The competition has now been rebranded to the AFC Champions League Elite.

The Red and Gold Brigade finished third in the group with Al-Ahli Jeddah and Krama Yudha Tiga Berlian in the 1985-86 season. They again participated in the 1998-99 season, losing 6-0 on aggregate to Dalian Wanda in the first round.

ALSO READ: Top five players for East Bengal FC to watch out from AFC Challenge League opponent FK Arkadag

Asian Cup Winners’ Cup

This tournament ran between 1990 and 2002, and East Bengal played in the Asian Cup Winners’ Cup five times. The Kolkata club’s first appearance in the 1991-92 season also saw their best finish as they made it to the quarterfinals, losing 7-1 to Nissan on aggregate.

The Torch Bearers’ last appearance in the Asian Cup Winners’ Cup came in the 1997-98 season, as they lost 5-3 to Verdy Kawasaki in the second round.

AFC Cup/AFC Champions League Two

The AFC Cup was Asia’s second biggest club competition, founded in 2004. It has since been rebranded to AFC Champions League Two. East Bengal made nine appearances in this competition, with the first coming in 2004 when they were eliminated in the knockout stage.

In 2003, the Kolkata club made history as they became the second Indian club to make it to the semi-final, losing to Al-Kuwait 7-2 on aggregate. Bengaluru FC, who finished runners-up in 2016, has only bettered this effort.

East Bengal’s latest appearance in the ACL2 came in the 2024-25 season as they were eliminated in the qualifying playoffs by Altyn Asyr, sending them to the AFC Challenge League.

AFC Challenge League

The AFC Challenge League is the third-tier continental football competition in Asian football, as it was revived in 2024. Previously, the competition was named the AFC President’s Cup, with the last edition being played in 2014.

East Bengal became the first Indian club to compete in this competition in the 2024-25 season. The Red and Gold Brigade topped their group, and they now have their sights set on the title as they get set to play in the knockout stage, with FK Arkadag potentially their next opponent.

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