Three East Bengal players who can be decisive in FK Arkadag clash

East Bengal won their group, picking up 7 points from their 3 games.

East Bengal look to make Indian football proud in their AFC Challenge League quarterfinal clash against FK Arkadag. The Red & Gold Brigade fought hard to top their group and book a place in the knockout rounds, but must defeat the Turkmenistan side across two legs to progress to the semi-final.

The Indian Super League (ISL) side will be playing the first leg at home in the Salt Lake Stadium. The onus is on them to produce a clinical performance in front of their beloeved supporters to have a chance of have something to fight for in the second leg. East Bengal can’t be regressive in the first leg, as Oscar Bruzon has to get them firing on all cylinders and take the fight to their opponents.

East Bengal will need their players to be at their sharpest and most efficient to have a chance of ousting FK Arkadag. There are a few players, in particular, who will play a vital role in helping them get a big result. Here we look at the three East Bengal players who could be really decisive in the first leg of the AFC Challenge League quarterfinal.

3. PV Vishnu

PV Vishnu has arguably been one of East Bengal’s players in the 2024-25 campaign, being a menacing figure for defenders in the ISL. He has seven goal contributions (four goals, three assists) in 21 appearances in the league this season, but a continental test will be one he’ll be relishing.

Vishnu is heading into the Arkadag clash with two assists in his last three games and will look to maintain his explosive style against the Turkmenistan side. He’ll try to make some conniving dribbling runs through the wide areas and put in better passes into the final third for his teammates.

Vishnu also has the IQ levels to get into goal-scoring positions, but needs to be more ruthless in finishing off chances to excel at the continental level. Be it if he starts the game or has to operate as an impact substitute, Vishnu needs to be at his sharpest and can be a difference-maker in the match if able to really nail his final product.

2. Naorem Mahesh Singh

Oscar Bruzon’s arrival definirelt had a positive impact on Naorem Mahesh Singh’s form, as the 26-year-old is now being a more consistent figure in the East Bengal team. Mahesh has started excelling in a more central area in Bruzon’s system, with the gaffer giving him plenty of freedom to roam around where ever he wants during East Bengal’s attacking moves.

The 26-year-old provided an assist in the three AFC CHlallenge League group stage matches and produced some impressive displays. He has two goals in East Bengal’s last four games, and is producing more energetic, efficient display in recent months. Not only can Mahesh create big chances with his impressive crossing ability and set-piece prowess, but he also tends to get into scoring positions quite often.

On top of that, he’s also defensively sharp and works hard to regain possession for his side. Mahesh’s in-game IQ and ability to pull off the unpredictable can help East Bengal unlock the FK Arkadag backline and cause them major issues.

1. Raphael Messi Bouli

The player to have lifted up East Bengal in their end-of-season push has been Raphael Messi Bouli, who is having them head into the clash against FK Arkadag in some impressive form. The Red & Gold Brigade are actually unbeaten in all the matches in which the 32-year-old has started and he had boasted a major influence in their attacking pattern.

Messi Bouli has two goals and one assist in five appearances so far for the ISL side, and has proven himself as that missing piece of their frontline. He has added something new and fresh to East Bengal’s style, with his unpredictable movement in the final third helping move centre-backs out of their comfort zones.

He’s also being efficient with his clever passes to teammates into empty area or when it comes to finishing off chances in powerful fashion. Messi Bouli needs to be at his bullish best to frustrate the Arkadag backline and cause them to lose their shape. He needs to move around all the time to create more unpredictability to their style and also find teammates in empty areas.

Messi Bouli can help East Bengal really pack a punch with their attacking moves and go toe-to-toe with FK Arkadag at the Salt Lake Stadium.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.