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.
Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr. Lead Nuggets Past Lakers 127-102 The Denver Nuggets showed their strength in a dominant performance against the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night. Led by Nikola Jokic's 34 points and Michael Porter Jr.'s 24, the Nuggets outscored the Lakers 70-39 in the second half and took control of the game. Despite an impressive performance from Russell Westbrook, scoring 14 points against his former team, the Lakers had no answer for Denver's inside and outside game. This was the first meeting between the two teams since the Nuggets eliminated the Lakers in the playoffs earlier this year, and it was a clear statement from Denver that they are still a dominant force in the Western Conference.
La Liga leaders Barcelona were stunned by Celta Vigo in a 2-2 draw, with two late goals securing a point for the home team. Despite a strong start and goals from Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski, Barcelona's collapse in the final minutes allowed Celta Vigo to snatch a draw. Coach Hansi Flick expressed his disappointment in his team's performance, and noted the absence of key player Lamine Yamal.
The mega auction for IPL 2025 is currently happening in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. All ten franchises are making their moves to create a strong team for the upcoming 18th edition of the tournament. With Rs 110.50 crore in their purse, Punjab Kings have the biggest arsenal while Rajasthan Royals have the smallest with Rs 41 crore. In other news, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged young people to join NCC and popular South Korean actors like Kim Soo-hyun and Byeon Woo-Seok are being recognized for their iconic roles. In cricket, India struggles against Australia in the 1st Test as half of their team has departed cheaply, including Rishabh Pant and Parag Jurel. Meanwhile, New Zealand's T20 World Cup champion has been ruled out for the rest of 2024 due to a bone stress fracture while KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal's partnership in Perth breaks a 38-year-old record.
In one of the most shocking football matches of the season, Manchester City suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat at the hands of Tottenham at Etihad Stadium. The Blues' hopes of bouncing back after four consecutive losses were crushed by James Maddison's brace and goals from Pedro Porro and Son Heung-min. The defeat marked Manchester City's first home loss in over two years, leaving manager Pep Guardiola with a lot to ponder. Relive all the highlights of this thrilling game in our live blog, including Rodri's Ballon d'Or parade.
In the midst of India’s tour of Australia, young cricket prodigy Yashasvi Jaiswal stunned the sports world with his maiden test century. Australian commentator Gerard Whateley was quick to recognize the 19-year-old’s exceptional talent, dubbing him “the chosen one.” With a batting masterclass of 100 and counting, Jaiswal’s extraordinary skills and inspiring journey have captured the admiration and respect of fans and pundits alike.
Atalanta secures the top spot in the Serie A standings with a 3-1 victory over Parma, surpassing Inter Milan's 5-0 rout of Verona. Mateo Retegui scores his 12th league goal of the season to give the visitors an early lead, followed by goals from Ederson and Ademola Lookman. Despite Napoli dropping to third before their match against Roma, Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini remains focused on maintaining a winning mentality.
In a stellar performance in the first Test against Australia, Yashasvi Jaiswal, at just 21 years old, notched his first-ever Test century on Australian soil. With this achievement, he also became the youngest Indian opener since Sachin Tendulkar to score a hundred in Australia. Furthermore, Jaiswal also broke a record for the most sixes hit in a calendar year in Test history, solidifying himself as a rising star in the world of cricket.
Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal made history on Sunday as he became the third Indian to score a century in his first Test match in Australia. Jaiswal's feat is now on par with Motganhalli Jaisimha and legendary Sunil Gavaskar, who also achieved the same milestone in 1968 and 1977 respectively. Despite a shaky start with an eight-ball duck in the first inning, Jaiswal reached the 100-run mark with a six off Josh Hazlewood in the second inning.
Barcelona, the current leaders of La Liga, suffered a shocking collapse in their match against Celta Vigo, ending in a 2-2 draw. Coach Hansi Flick expressed his disappointment in the team's poor performance, calling it "nothing like what we want to see." With this result, Barcelona remains five points clear at the top of the table, but their inability to secure three points without star player Lamine Yamal is cause for concern.
The IPL 2025 Auction promises to be an extravaganza as a total of 577 cricketers, including late entries like England's Jofra Archer and USA's Saurabh Netravalkar, will go under the hammer. With only 10 franchises vying for 201 available slots, the auction is expected to trigger fierce bidding wars. While Punjab Kings have the biggest purse, Rajasthan Royals will have a challenging task with limited budget. The addition of three international players has also added more diversity to the player pool, making it a must-watch event for all cricket fans.