East Bengal 3-2 Nejmeh SC Match Report & Highlights | AFC Challenge League 2024-25

3:00 PM: Hello everyone and welcome to Khel Now’s LIVE COVERAGE of the East Bengal vs Nejmeh SC match in the AFC Challenge League 2024-25. The kick-off is just 30 minutes away! I am your host Aishwarya and will keep you company through what promises to be a fascinating evening of football. Please wait for 30 Seconds for the Live blog to load.

AFC Challenge League 2024-25: East Bengal vs Nejmeh SC – Build-up

East Bengal FC head coach Oscar Bruzon will not settle for less than a win in their 2024-25 AFC Challenge League final group stage game against Nejmeh SC at the Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu on Friday (1 November).

With the two best second-placed teams progressing with the group leaders, the Red & Gold Brigade recognize the upcoming game as a must-win for them. The Torchbearers continue to endure horrible league form in the Indian Super League (ISL). They will be hoping a change in environment might trigger a twist of fate that helps them get a much-needed win against the Lebanese side.

The Stakes

East Bengal FC

Despite their perilous form in the ISL, Oscar Bruzon and his side have managed to acquire four points in two AFC Challenge League Group A games. Matchday 1 saw the Torchbearers come back down from a 2-1 deficit courtesy of a 69th-minute Dimitrios Diamantakos to equalize and make it 2-2. The team held on in the end to clinch a deserved point against a determined Paro FC.

Matchday 2 witnessed East Bengal capture their first win of the season in all competitions this season. They cruised to an emphatic 4-0 win over Bashundhara Kings courtesy of goals from Dimitrios Diamantakos, Souvik Chakrabarti, Nandhakumar Sekar and Anwar Ali.

The win might have re-instilled belief into this East Bengal side looking to kick some life into their season. A loss, however, against Nejmeh SC could almost certainly finish their AFC Challenge League campaign.

ALSO READ: How East Bengal FC can qualify for knockout stages in AFC Challenge League?

Nejmeh SC

The Lebanese side will probably be the favorites as they will face an under-performing East Bengal side. They’re in high spirits themselves after having won both their opening AFC Challenge League games. Matchday 1 saw the Lebanese side face Bashundhara Kings, with only a single goal settling the tie. An own goal by Kings defender Saad Uddin came following a threatening ball by Hassan Kourani into the box.

Matchday 2 saw Nejmeh SC seal their place in the knockout stages following a 2-1 over Paro FC. The game was settled courtesy of goals from Hassan Kourani and Mahdi Zein who dashed away any late Paro FC comebacks. East Bengal will have their hands full against Nejmeh SC, who have been flat-out getting things done in the AFC Challenge League this season.

The Torchbearers will be looking at their Greek forward to get them going and get them into a sort of winning momentum. A prolific goal-scorer, Diamatankos, will determine the fate of their AFC Challenge League campaign against Nejmeh SC. Diamantakos looked sharp in his last Group A outing and has two goals in 2 Challenge League games. 

He needs to continue helping build up attacks with his clever passes and link-up play. Finishing his chances, and putting away goal-scoring opportunities will see the Greek forward add to his goal tally for the tournament.

Hassan Kourani will be the player who will be pulling the strings for the Lebanese side against East Bengal FC. He has scored 2 goals in 3 games this season and will be a big threat to the Torchbearers’ defense.

The Lebanese midfielder is versatile enough to move around in the opposition area and has a magical left foot.

The 29-year-old Lebanese international can exploit the defensive weaknesses of EBFC, who have been leaking goals this season. Kourani’s early season form can tip things in Nejmeh SC’s favour and maybe all three points in their final AFC Challenge League game.

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