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East Bengal hold Al Hussein to a 2-2 draw in AFC Champions League Two opener to bring back a huge point back home from Jordan
East Bengal FC began their 2026/27 AFC Champions League Two campaign with a historic point, beating reigning Jordanian champions Al Hussein to a 2-2 draw in Amman on Wednesday.
The result was the first point secured by an Indian club in the rebranded AFC Champions League Two, although East Bengal will feel they missed an opportunity to leave Jordan with all three points as they let their two-goal lead slip in the second half.
The Kolkata giants made an excellent start at the Amman International Stadium, taking control of the contest during an impressive first half.
Dani Ramírez opened the scoring in the ninth minute, giving East Bengal an early advantage and setting the tone for an attacking display from Antonio López Habas' side as they kept the ball and looked very dangerous.
East Bengal doubled their lead before half-time through Anwar Ali.
The Indian centre-back headed in from a corner to put the visitors 2-0 ahead at the break, leaving Al Hussein with a big deficit to overcome.
East Bengal’s first-half performance was particularly encouraging given the quality of the opposition, with Al Hussein entering the competition as reigning Jordanian champions.
India's FIFA ranking is 138, while Jordan is ranked 73rd, and they have even played in the FIFA World Cup this year.
East Bengal even had a golden chance to extend their advantage. Edmund Lalrindika found himself with only the goalkeeper to beat but sent his shot over the crossbar in the 38th minute.
Al Hussein started the second half with more intensity.
East Bengal's defensive structure, which had largely contained the hosts before half-time, began to come under sustained pressure and saw very little of the ball.
The Jordanian side eventually pulled one goal back in the 61st minute through skipper Al Mardi. Suddenly, what had looked like a comfortable East Bengal victory became an increasingly tense contest.
The hosts continued to push forward, sensing an opportunity to complete the turnaround. Their persistence was rewarded three minutes from full time.
Substitute Asaf found the equaliser in the 87th minute, completing Al Hussein's comeback and denying East Bengal a memorable away victory.
Despite letting a two-goal advantage slip, the draw represents a historic moment for Indian football.
East Bengal's point came away from home against the reigning champions of Jordan and gives them something to build on in Group D, where they are joined by Iraq's Al-Shorta and Oman's Al-Seeb.
East Bengal's first half demonstrated their attacking quality and ability to compete at the continental level, while the second half exposed the need for greater control when protecting a lead and their lack of experience.
East Bengal will now turn their attention to the next stage of their group campaign, with their home meeting against Al-Shorta scheduled for October at the VYBK in Kolkata.
The historic point in Jordan provides a massive foundation for the remaining campaign, but the manner in which the two-goal lead slipped, Habas and co. will be biting their fingers.
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