Indian football club East Bengal secures a 4-0 win over Bangladesh's Bashundhara Kings, solidifying their chances in the AFC Challenge Cup™ 2024/25. The team dominated in the first half, scoring four goals and setting up a decisive matchup with Lebanon's Nejmeh SC for the group's top spot. Despite their opponents having more possession in the second half, East Bengal maintained their lead and ultimately sealed a crucial victory.
East Bengal's Resurgence: Dominating Bangladesh Kings and Setting Sights on AFC Challenge Cup Glory
Indian football powerhouse East Bengal has once again proven their mettle, securing a resounding 4-0 victory over Bangladesh's Bashundhara Kings in the AFC Challenge Cup™ 2024/25. This triumph not only solidifies their chances of advancing in the tournament but also marks a significant milestone in the club's resurgence.
Background
East Bengal is one of India's oldest and most celebrated football clubs, founded in 1920. Known for its passionate fanbase and unwavering spirit, the club has won multiple national championships, including three successive I-League titles from 2013 to 2015. However, in recent years, the club faced financial challenges and a decline in form.
Resurgent East Bengal
In 2023, East Bengal underwent a major restructuring, with Kolkata-based Shree Cement acquiring a majority stake in the club. This investment has breathed new life into the team, providing financial stability and attracting top players.
Under the guidance of experienced coach Marco Rivera, East Bengal has begun to regain its former glory. The club finished as runners-up in the 2022-23 I-League and qualified for the AFC Challenge Cup, a continental tournament for emerging football nations.
Bashundhara Kings Victory
The match against Bashundhara Kings was a statement of intent for East Bengal. The team dominated the first half, scoring four goals through Sourav Das, Victor Perez, Dimas Delgado, and Naorem Mahesh Singh. Despite the Kings having more possession in the second half, East Bengal's defense held firm, securing a crucial victory.
AFC Challenge Cup Ambitions
East Bengal's win over Bashundhara Kings sets up a decisive matchup with Lebanon's Nejmeh SC for the top spot in Group B. A victory against Nejmeh will guarantee East Bengal a place in the knockout stages and inch them closer to their goal of winning the AFC Challenge Cup.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the AFC Challenge Cup?
It is a continental football tournament organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for developing football nations.
2. When is the AFC Challenge Cup 2024/25 being held?
The tournament is scheduled to take place from August 2024 to December 2025.
3. Which teams have qualified for the AFC Challenge Cup 2024/25?
16 teams from across Asia have qualified for the tournament, including East Bengal (India), Bashundhara Kings (Bangladesh), Nejmeh SC (Lebanon), and Khujand (Tajikistan).
4. What is East Bengal's record in the AFC Challenge Cup?
East Bengal has never won the AFC Challenge Cup but has finished as runners-up once in 2013.
5. What are East Bengal's chances of winning the AFC Challenge Cup 2024/25?
With their impressive form and newfound financial stability, East Bengal has a good chance of winning the tournament. However, they will face stiff competition from other strong teams in the competition.
The Australian Cricket Team has suffered a major blow as all-rounder Cameron Green has been ruled out of the upcoming ODI series against the Indian Cricket Team due to an injury. In his place, Marnus Labuschagne has been added to the squad, after initially being overlooked for poor performance in the previous series. This is the third change in Australia's ODI squad, with two previous players opting out. Green will undergo rehabilitation and is expected to return for the Ashes series in 2025-26.
Australian all-rounder Cameron Green has been ruled out of the upcoming ODI series against India due to a low grade side soreness. In his place, Marnus Labuschagne has been named as his replacement. Green is expected to return for the Ashes, while Labuschagne returns to the ODI setup in great form. This marks Australia's third enforced change for the series opener against India.
Australia's captain Alyssa Healy's poor performance behind the wickets was overshadowed by her exceptional batting skills as she led her team to a comfortable 10-wicket win against Bangladesh in their Women's World Cup match. Her opening partner Phoebe Litchfield also remained unbeaten on 84 as Australia chased down the target of 199 in just 24.5 overs. Healy, who was named Player of the Match in their previous game against India, also praised her teammate Alana King for her impressive bowling performance.
During a match on the latest episode of AEW Dynamite, one of the leaders of La Facción Ingobernable reportedly dislocated his elbow after getting caught on the bottom rope. Despite the injury, he managed to continue with the post-match beatdown. It is uncertain if the injury will affect his future matches, including one scheduled for the following day in Mexico. Viewers can catch up on all the details of the incident and the rest of the AEW episode here.
After major flight delays and security restrictions, star Indian cricketers Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill landed in Perth for the upcoming ODI series against Australia. Along with the rest of the team, they will face off against Australia starting on October 19 in Perth, followed by matches in Adelaide and Sydney. Questions about the future of Rohit and Kohli in the ODI team have sparked debate among fans.
Former New Zealand captain, Kane Williamson, has been signed on as the strategic advisor for IPL team, Lucknow Super Giants. He will be replacing Zaheer Khan and will be working with the likes of Justin Langer and Rishabh Pant. Williamson's appointment comes after a three-month-long process that began during his time in the UK, where he was also involved in the Hundred. The Super Giants will be looking to improve their performance after a seventh-place finish in IPL 2025.
Amidst speculations of his retirement, Virat Kohli, the iconic former captain of the Indian cricket team, took to social media to share a powerful message of resilience. With the first match of the Australian ODI series approaching, all eyes are on Kohli and his fellow veteran teammate Rohit Sharma, who will be returning to the squad as a player but not as captain. As the two legends approach the end of their international careers, fans are eagerly waiting to see how they fare on the field.
Indian cricketer Shreyas Iyer has collaborated with the faith-tech platform Bhagavad Gita for All, highlighting the use of the Gita's teachings for improved performance and mental wellness. With over 10,000 books sold and 1 lakh users on its mobile app, the platform aims to bring ancient wisdom into daily life through modern tech. Iyer's composure and focus on the field make him a perfect fit for this partnership, which also aims to reach Gen Z and Millennials for high-performance training.
The city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat, India has been recommended as the host city for the 2030 Commonwealth Games by the Commonwealth Sport's Executive Board. This decision is set to be finalized on November 26 at the body's General Assembly, after being sent to the full membership of Commonwealth Sport. Gujarat Chief Minister, Bhupendra Patel, expressed his pride and gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their vision and commitment towards making Ahmedabad the Sporting Capital of India.
Despite two goals from Ronaldo, Portugal was unable to secure their spot in the 2026 World Cup. Ronaldo's impressive performance, including his 40th and 41st World Cup qualifying goals, wasn't enough to overcome Hungary's late equalizer. Portugal will have to wait until November for another chance to qualify, with hopes of giving their star player one final shot at a major tournament.