In control: Arkadag has a 1-0 lead ahead of the second leg.
| Photo Credit: DEBASISH BHADURI
East Bengal FC’s international campaign suffered a setback as it lost the home leg match of the AFC Challenge League quarterfinal against Turkmenistan’s FK Arkadag 1-0 at the Salt Lake Stadium here on Wednesday.
Yazgylych finds the net
Gurbanov Yazgylych scored the only goal of the match to give the visitor the advantage ahead of the second leg which will be played in Arkadag on March 12.
Despite enjoying dominance in the midfield, EBFC conceded in the 10th minute and failed to draw level as Arkadag sealed up its defence effectively.
The chance came up Arkadag’s way when winger Shanazar Tirkishov intercepted a clearance from East Bengal centre-back Hector Yuste and released Gurbanov unmarked on top of the host’s box.
Silencing the crowd
The Arkadag midfielder utilised the free space well and sent in a powerful shot to silence some 20,000 fans cheering for the host.
EBFC launched a strong bid for the equaliser but failed to make much of an impression.
The host’s forwards Raphael Messi Bouli, Richard Celis and Saul Crespo had a chance each in the second half but failed to bulge the net.
The result: Quarterfinal first leg: East Bengal FC 0 lost to FK Arkadag 1 (Gurbanov Yazgylych 10).
Published – March 05, 2025 10:09 pm IST