East Bengal FC are eager to turn their poor form around and secure a much-needed win against Paro FC in their first match of the AFC Challenge League group stage. Despite recent struggles, the Indian club has shown signs of improvement in their attacking play and will be looking to build on that momentum. However, Paro FC, who recently won their fourth consecutive Bhutan Premier League title, will not make it easy for East Bengal, as they enter the match with a fully fit squad and the momentum on their side. A win for either team can have a major impact on their confidence going forward in the tournament.
East Bengal FC Looks to Rebound in AFC Challenge League
East Bengal FC, a Kolkata-based Indian football club, will face Paro FC of Bhutan in their opening match of the AFC Challenge League group stage on Wednesday. The match will be played at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
East Bengal have been in poor form of late, winning just one of their last five matches. However, they have shown signs of improvement in their attacking play in recent matches, and will be looking to build on that momentum against Paro FC.
Paro FC, on the other hand, are in good form. They recently won their fourth consecutive Bhutan Premier League title, and have a fully fit squad for the AFC Challenge League. They will be looking to make a strong start to the tournament with a win over East Bengal.
A win for either team could have a major impact on their confidence going forward in the tournament. East Bengal will be looking to get their season back on track, while Paro FC will be looking to build on their recent success.
Top 5 FAQs about East Bengal FC and Paro FC
East Bengal FC was founded in 1920 and is one of the most successful clubs in Indian football history. They have won the National Football League (now known as the I-League) a record 39 times, and have also won the Federation Cup (now known as the Super Cup) eight times.
Paro FC was founded in 2009 and is based in the Paro District of Bhutan. They have won the Bhutan Premier League four times, and have also won the Bhutan National League Cup twice.
The AFC Challenge League is a continental club competition organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for developing nations in Asia. The tournament is played in a group stage format, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semifinals. The winner of the tournament qualifies for the AFC Cup, the second-tier club competition in Asia.
Key players to watch for in the match between East Bengal FC and Paro FC include:
The match schedule for the AFC Challenge League group stage is as follows:
As the January transfer window quickly approaches, Premier League teams are preparing for potential changes. Manchester United could see more players leaving than arriving, with Marcus Rashford potentially on the move. Meanwhile, Liverpool faces the risk of losing their top players due to contract negotiations. And Bukayo Saka's injury puts Arsenal in a tricky position as they look for a new forward. Stay tuned to Mirror Football for all updates on the upcoming transfer window.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirms that English winger Bukayo Saka has undergone surgery for a hamstring injury and will be out until March. In their match against Ipswich, Arsenal secured a 1-0 victory, moving them to second place in the Premier League standings. This win comes after Saka's injury last week, with Kai Havertz scoring the only goal of the game in the opening period.
In a bid to revive his poor form, Team India's skipper Rohit Sharma made a bold move to return to his natural role as an opening batter in the 4th Test against Australia, pushing KL Rahul to the No. 3 spot. However, the change didn't yield the expected results as both Rohit and Rahul struggled at the top of the batting order. The decision was further questioned by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon, who asked Rahul what he did wrong to bat one down. Despite Rahul's fine shots, he was eventually undone by a formidable delivery from Australia's captain Pat Cummins. Meanwhile, Rohit faced criticism from former Australian cricketers for his "lazy" and "not committed" shot selection in the first innings.
Virat Kohli, India's star batsman, lost his cool after being booed by Australian fans at the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) during the Border Gavaskar Trophy. His reaction, captured on camera, has gone viral. Kohli was walking back to the dressing room after dismissal when the crowd continued to boo him, leading to his intense response. Fans have come to his support, urging him to reply with his bat and bring the fire back.
The Australian team has taken control of the 4th Test match against India, with a strong batting performance led by Steve Smith's record-breaking 34th ton in Test cricket. Batsmen Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, and Marnus Labuschagne also contributed with fifty plus scores. Despite a change in the opening pair for India, Rohit Sharma's poor form continued and fans took to social media to express their disappointment. With only two Indian bowlers managing to make an impact so far, Australia finished their first innings at a massive 474 runs.
Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma faced another disappointing inning in the ongoing fourth Test against Australia, reigniting discussions about his future in the format. According to reports, chief selector Ajit Agarkar's visit to Melbourne may lead to a conversation about Rohit's future and his possible retirement. Meanwhile, former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has pointed out flaws in Rohit's footwork and reflexes, suggesting that age may be catching up with the 37-year-old. With the series tied at 1-1, the last two Test matches hold crucial significance for India's World Test Championship dreams and Rohit's struggling form may cause concern for the team.
In a highly anticipated encounter between India and Australia, a physical altercation between Virat Kohli and debutant Sam Konstas took place on the field. Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley expressed his disappointment, stating that physical contact has no place in cricket. While Kohli was charged for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct and fined 20 percent of his match fee, Konstas showed remarkable maturity by downplaying the incident. With the series being high stakes for both teams, Hockley believed the intensity of the competition could have been a contributing factor.
Manchester City's struggles continue as they were held to a 1-1 draw against Everton, extending their winless streak to 13 games. The team was hit with injuries to Kyle Walker and Jack Grealish, leading to a lack of depth on the bench. Despite their need for reinforcements, manager Pep Guardiola is focused on signing players who can contribute to the club long-term, rather than just for a quick fix.
The fourth Test match between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground is in full swing, with the visitors looking to capitalize on their brilliant performance on day one. In the early part of day two, Jasprit Bumrah takes his first wicket of the day, dismissing Steve Smith who had already scored a half-century. However, Mitchell Starc's resilient batting keeps Australia afloat, as they look to mount a comeback against India's strong bowling attack. Stay tuned to get live updates of this exciting match.
Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley condemns physical altercation between Indian captain Virat Kohli and Australian debutant Sam Konstas during Day 1 of the fourth Test. While Kohli was charged and fined, Hockley praised Konstas for handling the situation with maturity beyond his years. The incident sheds light on the intense competition and high stakes in the ongoing series.