FK Arkadag vs East Bengal FC lineups, team news, prediction & preview

East Bengal lost to 1-0 FK Arkadag in the first leg of the semifinal.

Indian Super League (ISL) club East Bengal FC aim to produce an inspired comeback in the second leg of their AFC Challenge League quarter-finals clash against FK Arkadag at the Arkadag Stadium in Arkadag, Turkmenistan on Wednesday (12 March, 2025).

The Torchbearers find themselves in desperate need to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg with a clinical effort in the upcoming game. East Bengal faces a stern challenge against the rugged Turkmenistan side at their own yard, with a hostile crowd creating an intimidating atmosphere.

The Stakes

FK Arkadag

The Turkmenistan side, which is currently beginning its new campaign, showcased admirable resilience in the first leg of Kolkata. They devised a relatively simple game plan of pushing hard for an opening goal and then just sitting back to defend their lead. However, Arkadag will likely have a more expansive, attack-minded approach in their yard.

They will try to take the fight to the East Bengal side by constantly changing them with terrorizing attacks to thrill their fans. Arkadag will push to get a few early goals, which can significantly improve their chances of progressing. Another win over East Bengal can significantly bolster the players’ confidence and self-belief heading into the semi-final. However, if they lose after their heroics in Kolkata, Arkadag could have the worst possible start to their new campaign.

East Bengal FC

The Red & Gold Brigade will need to be more decisive in taking their chances to get a significant turnaround in Arkadag. East Bengal put up a tough fight in the first leg, but they must be more innovative in breaching the Turkmenistan side’s backline and have a chance of getting a fighting result. Oscar Bruzon probably has to switch up some of his side’s attacking patterns, making them more expressive with their chances and bringing more variety to moving the ball forward.

He will need his forward players to be clinical in taking their chances and his backline to be at their sharpest and not allow Arkadag to pounce with momentary lapses in concentration. East Bengal could get a positive result if able to tap into their most clinical, and a win can save their 2024-25 campaign from being deemed a failure. A loss would require them to give their all in the upcoming Super Cup.

Team & Injury News

East Bengal rested most of their first-team players in the recent ISL clash against NorthEast United. Questions remain over the chances of PV Vishnu or David Lalhlansanga’s ability to start against Arkadag after they are featured in the game over the weekend. Anwar Ali remains a doubt with an injury concern.

FK Arkadag should have the same squad that helped them defeat East Bengal in the previous leg.

Head-to-Head

Matches Played – 1

FK Arkdag wins – 1

East Bengal wins – 0

Draws – 0

Probable Lineups

FK Arkadag (4-2-3-1)

Resul Çaryýew (GK), Abdy Byashimov, Guychmyrat Annagulyyev, Mekan Separov, Ybraýym Mämmedow, Resul Khozhaev, Mirza Beknazarov, Ýazgylyç Gurbanov, Begench Akmammedov, Sanazar Tirkishov, Didar Durdyyev

East Bengal (4-4-2)

Prabhsukhan Gill (GK), Mohamad Rakip, Lalchhungnunga, Hector Yuste, Nishu Kumar, Souvik Chakrabarti, Saul Crespo, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Richard Celis, Raphael Messi Bouli, Dimitrios Diamantakos

Players to Watch

Didar Durdyyev (FK Arkadag)

With FK Arkadag likely to have a more attack-minded approach for this game, there is a more substantial chance for striker Didar Durdyyev to have more chances to torment the East Bengal backline. The 31-year-old forward has scored once in the AFC Challenge League this season and seemed sharp with his overall movement in the opposition half in the first half.

Durdyyev needs to be bright with how he ventures around the East Bengal box, using his movement to disrupt their defensive shape and force centre-backs out of their natural position. He will also look to help create better moves with his link-up play and must be at his clinical to power FK Arkdag to a big win.

Richard Celis (East Bengal FC)

Richard Celis has not been able to make a single-goal contribution since he arrived in East Bengal, with his stint at the club not being as prolific as expected. That is why this upcoming clash against FK Arkadag could be his final chance to salvage his future with the Red & Gold Brigade. Celis has shown much promise with his quickness and dribbling ability for East Bengal, but it is high time he sharpens his final product.

He often gets into dangerous areas but has to be more prolific in delivering quality passes into the box. He has to be more accurate with his crosses or passes to allow his fellow players a more substantial chance of scoring more goals. Moreover, he will also look to be a menace with his runs into the box and finish off chances clinically to elevate East Bengal’s threat.

Did You Know?

• Their 1-0 loss to FK Arkadag marked the first time East Bengal failed to score in a 2024-24 AFC Challenge League game.
• FK Arkadag have kept two clean sheets in four AFC Challenge League matches this season.
• East Bengal lost both their continental matches against Turkmenistan opposition this season.

Telecast Details

The second leg of the AFC Challenge League quarterfinals between FK Arkadag and East Bengal will take place at the Arkadag Stadium, Arkadag on Wednesday (12 March, 2025). It will kick off at 4 PM IST. The match will be streamed live on the FanCode app.

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