AFC Challenge League 2024-25: Know East Bengal’s History in Asian Tournaments

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East Bengal FC will take part in the upcoming AFC Challenge League 2024-25, the third tier of Asian club competition, which is scheduled to kick off on October 26.

The Kolkata-based club will play group games against Nejmeh, Bashundhara Kings, and Paro in a bid to qualify for the knockout stages. This competition will be crucial for the Red and Gold Brigade, as a win in the tournament will give them direct entry to next season’s AFC Champions League 2 group stage.

Continental success will be more important to East Bengal considering their poor league form, where they have lost their first six games. However, the historic club will get a boost with their continental history, where they have been one of the most successful clubs in India.

Let’s have a look at East Bengal’s history in Asian tournaments, including the AFC Champions League Two.

East Bengal’s Full History in Asian Tournaments

East Bengal has represented the country in 18 Asian continental tournaments, including the top-tier competition Asian Club Championship (which was later renamed to AFC Champions League in 2002). However, in their two appearances in the top-tier competition, East Bengal could only manage as high as a group-stage qualification in 1985, losing both of their matches in the second round.

East Bengal have been mildly successful in their nine appearances in the AFC Cup, which is now known as AFC Champions League 2. In their nine participations, they managed a semi-final appearance in 2013, although they lost to Kuwait FC over two legs in an aggregate score of 2-7.

Their recent experience in the tournament has been a bitter one as well, as they were defeated 2-3 by Turkmen side Altyn Asyr in the Qualifying play-offs in 2024.

What is East Bengal’s Biggest Success in Asian Competitions?

East Bengal’s biggest success has come in the now-defunct ASEAN Club Championship, where they managed to clinch the winner’s medal in their solitary participation in 2003.

The Red and Gold Brigade faced clubs from Thailand and the Philippines, qualifying for the knockouts after coming in second in the group stage. They then defeated Indonesian clubs Persita in the quarter-final and Petrokimia Putra in the semi-final, before squaring off against Thai side BEC Tero Sasana.

Goals from Mike Okoro, Bhaichung Bhutia, and Alvito D’Cunha led East Bengal to a historic 3-1 win in the final match, which stands as the club’s best continental performance to date. The Red and Gold Brigade will look to work similar magic when they take on the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimpu on Saturday for the AFC Challenge League 2024-25 group stage.