East Bengal drew 2-2 with Al Hussein in their AFC Champions League Two opener, with goals from Dani Ramirez and Anwar Ali cancelled out by a late comeback.
East Bengal Denied Famous Away Win After Late Al Hussein Comeback
Indian Super League champions East Bengal FC suffered heartbreak in Jordan, letting a two-goal lead slip to draw 2-2 against Jordanian powerhouse Al Hussein in their opening Group D fixture of the AFC Champions League Two. Antonio Habas’ men put on a tactical masterclass in the first half at the Amman International Stadium, only for the hosts to stage a resilient comeback after the interval.
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Ramirez and Anwar Stun the Home Crowd
Coming into the continental clash with strong momentum, East Bengal started with remarkable confidence, silencing the passionate home supporters early on. In the 9th minute, Dani Ramirez found space inside the penalty area and fired a clinical shot past the goalkeeper to break the deadlock. The Torchbearers continued to press forward with great discipline, frustrating the home side’s midfield. Just before the break in the 40th minute, defender Anwar Ali rose highest during a set-piece situation, powering a brilliant header into the back of the net to give the visitors a stunning 2-0 advantage heading into halftime.
Al Hussein Fight Back After the Interval
Refusing to surrender on home soil, Al Hussein emerged from the locker room with vastly improved intensity and started bombarding the Indian team’s defensive lines. Their relentless pressure paid off in the 60th minute when star player Mahmoud Al-Mardi capitalized on a defensive lapse, weaving past his marker to pull a goal back and make it 2-1. The goal completely shifted the momentum, energizing both the team and the crowd as Al Hussein hunted for an equalizer.
Late Drama Denies the Visitors All Three Points
As the clock ticked down, East Bengal defended heroically, absorbing wave after wave of attacks to protect their slim lead. However, the heavy pressure finally cracked the visitors’ backline in the 87th minute. Substitute Ahmad Assaf found a pocket of space inside the box and hammered home a dramatic equalizer to rescue a 2-2 draw for Al Hussein. While missing out on a historic away win stings, East Bengal showed they can compete at the continental level.