East Bengal rally to hold home favourites Paro FC 2-2 in AFC Challenge League opener

East Bengal kicked off ir AFC Challenge League campaign with a thrilling 2-2 draw against Bhutan’s Paro FC, salvaging a crucial point thanks to Dimitrios Diamantakos’ second-half equaliser.

Super Cup champions struck early through Mih Talal, who converted Saul Crespo’s precise cutback in 5th minute to put East Bengal in le.

However, vantage was short-lived as home side responded just three minutes later with a William Opoku penalty after Evans Asante drew a foul from Anwar Ali in box.

With game evenly poised, Paro seized momentum, keeping East Bengal’s defence on ir toes.

Koki Narita’s long-range effort and Tomoyuki Unno’s deflected shot tested Prabhsukhan Gill, who stood firm.

Paro's persistence paid off in stoppage time, when Asante capitalised on a swift counterattack, sprinting from midfield to slot past Gill and send hosts into break 2-1 up.

In second-half, East Bengal pushed forward in search of an equaliser.

Kazuo Homma nearly extended Paro’s le with a close-range heer before Diamantakos responded, firing wide from just outside box.

But Greek forward me no mistake with his next opportunity in 69th minute, coolly finishing Nandhakumar Sekar’s pinpoint cross after a surging run down right.

Indian Super League side now look ahe to ir next Group A clash against Banglesh ’s Bashundhara Kings on Tuesday, aiming to build on this hard-earned draw.