East Bengal Enter AFC Challenge League Quarter-Finals With 3-2 Victory Over Nejmeh SC

East Bengal FC secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over Nejmeh SC of Lebanon in their final Group A match of the AFC Challenge League 2024-25, thanks to a brace from Dimitrios Diamantakos. This win propelled the ISL team into the knockout stage of the competition. East Bengal topped Group A with seven points, having previously won 4-0 against Bashundhara Kings ( Bangladesh ) and drawn 2-2 with Paro FC (Bhutan) in their opening two matches. Diamantakos' double strike proved crucial in the team's progression, solidifying East Bengal's position as Group A winners and paving the way for their advancement in the tournament.Also Read: Manchester United Officially CONFIRM Appointment Of New Manager Ruben Amorim, To Start From Nov 11East Bengal FC vs Nejmeh SCEast Bengal, who trailed Nejmeh by two points heading into this encounter, took the lead in the eighth minute when Madih Talal's corner kick was inadvertently headed into his own net by Baba Musah at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu.The Indian side took further advantage of Nejmeh's slow start to double their advantage in the 15th minute when Diamantakos scored for the third consecutive match when he prodded home a low cross from Mahesh Naorem.A shell-shocked Nejmeh, who had won their two earlier matches, fought back to quickly pull one back three minutes later when Rabih Ataya lobbed the ball for Collins Opare to stab home past Prabsukhan Gill.The Lebanese side rediscovered its confidence and drew level two minutes before half-time when Hussein Monzer bent an unstoppable free-kick into the top corner to set up an enticing second half.Knowing defeat could mean elimination, both the teams adopted a more cautious approach in the second half although Nejmeh were still able to create several good chances.Hassan Kourani missed an open goal with a header in the 47th minute before further efforts from Mahdi Zein and Ataya were safely handled by Gill as things remained level heading into the final half an hour.Then came the defining point when Talal was brought down in the box by Ali Ismail with Thai referee Songkran Bunmeekiart pointing to the spot. Diamantakos put away the spot-kick with ease to restore East Bengal's lead in the 77th minute.Also Read: ISL: Bengaluru FC Aims To Ride On Unbeaten Form To Outwit FC Goa Nejmeh tried to mount another comeback and put the East Bengal defence under pressure for the remaining minutes but it was to no avail as the Indian Super League outfit held on to take the win and top spot.East Bengal will now have to wait to find out their quarter-final opponents after all the AFC Challenge League group stage fixtures are over. The two-legged quarter-finals will take place on March 5 and 12. (With PTI inputs)

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East Bengal Enter AFC Challenge League Quarter-Finals With 3-2 Victory Over Nejmeh SC

East Bengal finished as the Group A winners on seven points to seal progression in AFC Challenge League 2024-25.

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