India, Aug. 12 -- Following consecutive victories in the Durand Cup 2026, East Bengal FC will now shift their focus to a bigger challenge. The reigning Indian Super League (ISL) champions will host Qatar's Al-Arabi SC in a do-or-die AFC Champions League Two qualifier at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Wednesday, August 12. The Tochbeares did not have the best start to their campaign under their new head coach Antonio Lopez Habas. They lost the Durand Cup opener to arch-rivals Mohun Bagan Super Giant, but came roaring back in the next two fixtures.

Al-Arabi SC, on the other hand, finished as the runners-up in the Qatar Stars League to earn a place in the AFC Champions League 2 qualifiers. The winners of the East Bengal vs Al-Arabi sho...