East Bengal beat Al Arabi 4-1 after extra time, reach ACL Two group stage

East Bengal produced a stunning late comeback to defeat Kuwait's Al Arabi SC 4-1 after extra time and qualify for the AFC Champions League Two group stage at the Salt Lake Stadium on Wednesday.

The ISL champions looked headed for elimination after Anayo Iwuala converted a 76th-minute penalty to put the visitors ahead. However, Jay Gupta's 90th-minute header forced extra time before East Bengal took complete control.

Captain Mohammed Rashid put the hosts ahead in the 108th minute with a superb half-volley before substitute David Lalhlansanga added a third seven minutes from the end. Rohit Danu completed the rout in stoppage time.

Gupta sparks dramatic turnaround

Al Arabi had threatened early, with Zeid Qunbar and Kenean Maleko testing the East Bengal defence. Prabhsukhan Singh Gill also produced important saves to keep the hosts in contention.

East Bengal missed a major opportunity in the 50th minute when Bipin Singh fired wide after being played through by Jesin Thonikkara.

Al Arabi capitalised when Iwuala converted from 12 yards after Sandip Mandi brought down Maleko inside the box. The visitors came close to extending their advantage before Gupta's late equaliser changed the contest.

East Bengal were without Spanish defender Nacho Monsalve and played with an all-Indian defence. Mandi later made a crucial block to deny Qunbar as Al Arabi searched for another goal.

The victory sends East Bengal into the West Region group stage of the AFC Champions League Two, where 16 teams will compete in a home-and-away round-robin format.

Meanwhile, FC Goa's continental campaign ended with a 0-3 defeat to Turkmenistan's FC Arkadag. The hosts scored three times in 17 second-half minutes through Didar Durdyyew, Rahman Myratberdiýew and Arzuwguly Sapargulyyew.

Arkadag advance to the AFC Champions League Two group stage, while FC Goa drop into the AFC Challenge League, the third tier of Asian club football.

(With inputs from PTI)