East Bengal FC is Placed in Group A of AFC Challenge League 2024-25. The other teams of Group A are Nejmeh SC (Lebanon), Bashundhara Kings (Bangladesh) and Paro FC (Bhutan). The draw was conducted at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.
East Bengal qualified for AFC club competitions after winning the 2024 Kalinga Super Cup. The Red and Gold Brigade competed in the AFC Champions League Two qualifying round but lost 2-3 to Altyn Asyr FC.
The matches will be played in between October 26 and November 2, in a centralised location in single round-robin format at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu.
There are five groups in the group stage – three comprising four teams from the West each and two involving three teams from the East each. The Red & Gold Brigade is part of West.
The three group winners and best-ranked runners-up from the West will join top two finishers of each group from the East in quarterfinals which will be played double-legged format in between March 5 and 13, 2025.
The semifinals will be played between April 9 to 17, 2025, and the final is scheduled to be played on May 10, 2025.
Groups and Teams
West Zone
Group A: East Bengal FC (IND), Nejmeh SC (LBN), Bashundhara Kings (BAN), Paro FC (BHU)
Group B: Al Arabi SC (KUW), FC Arkadag (TKM), Maziya Sports & Recreation (MDV), FC Abdysh-Ata Kant (KGZ)
Group C: Al Ahli (BHR), Al Futowa SC (SYR), Al Seeb Club (OMA), Hilal Al-Quds (PLE)
East Zone
Group D: Shan United FC (MYA), Tainan City FC (TPE), Young Elephants FC (LAO)
Group E: Madura United (IDN), Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC (CAM), SP Falcons (MNG)
Fixture of East Bengal FC:
26 Oct vs Paro FC
29 Oct vs Basundhara Kings
1 Nov vs Nejmeh SC
Picture Courtesy: East Bengal Media
