East Bengal lose 3-2 to Iraq's Al Shorta in ACL Two despite Lalhlansanga brace
Representative image: StockSnap / Pixabay
East Bengal led twice through David Lalhlansanga but lost 3-2 to Iraq's Al Shorta in the AFC Champions League Two in Kolkata on 13 October 2026.
What Happened
East Bengal lost 3-2 to Iraq's Al Shorta in Group D of the AFC Champions League Two on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata, despite leading twice in the first half. Forward David Lalhlansanga scored both East Bengal goals, in the 8th and 40th minutes. Al Shorta replied through Ahmed Yahya in the 14th minute, Hussein Al Saedi in the 51st and Kingsley Kuku in the 53rd. The visitors were reduced to ten men in the 76th minute, when Abdoul Madjid Moumouni was sent off for a second yellow card, but East Bengal could not find an equaliser.
Key Facts
- Result: East Bengal 2, Al Shorta 3, AFC Champions League Two, Group D, 13 October 2026, Kolkata.
- East Bengal goals: David Lalhlansanga (8', 40').
- Al Shorta goals: Ahmed Yahya (14'), Hussein Al Saedi (51'), Kingsley Kuku (53').
- Al Shorta played the last 14 minutes plus stoppage time with ten men after Abdoul Madjid Moumouni's second booking in the 76th minute.
- It was East Bengal's first defeat in the competition; they drew 2-2 with Jordan's Al Hussein on the first matchday.
- Al Shorta top Group D with six points from two wins; East Bengal are third with one point.
- East Bengal's next game is away to Oman's Al-Seeb on 27 October.
Why It Matters
For Indian club football, the AFC Champions League Two is the main stage on which clubs measure themselves against the rest of Asia. East Bengal showed on Tuesday that they can trouble a strong West Asian side: Lalhlansanga's two goals put them ahead twice, and the team created chances in front of a home crowd. But the match turned in a two-minute spell early in the second half, when Al Shorta scored twice to go from 2-2 to 3-2. Conceding goals in quick succession is a familiar problem for Indian teams against experienced continental opponents.
The failure to score against ten men for the final stretch will also concern the coaching staff. Teams that take a man advantage usually push numbers forward and turn possession into pressure on goal. East Bengal did not manage a late breakthrough, and the result leaves them with work to do. With one point from two matches and Al Shorta already on six, the race for the knockout places now depends heavily on the away games that follow.
For Lalhlansanga, the brace was a personal high point on the continental stage, and two goals against a group leader will raise his profile with fans and national team selectors.
| | Team | Played | Points | |
|---|---|---|
| | Al Shorta (Iraq) | 2 | 6 | |
| | East Bengal (India) | 2 | 1 | |
Impact
Short-term: East Bengal must take points from their away trip to Al-Seeb on 27 October to stay in contention for the knockout stage.
Long-term: The club's performances in the group will shape how Indian clubs are seen in Asian competition.
Who is affected: East Bengal players, coaches and supporters, Indian football fans following continental competition, and the national team selectors watching Indian forwards like Lalhlansanga.
Key Takeaway
East Bengal led twice through David Lalhlansanga but lost 3-2 to Iraq's Al Shorta in the AFC Champions League Two on 13 October 2026, leaving them third in Group D with one point.
Questions and Answers
What was the score in East Bengal vs Al Shorta?
Al Shorta won 3-2 in Kolkata on 13 October 2026 in Group D of the AFC Champions League Two.
Who scored for East Bengal?
David Lalhlansanga scored both goals, in the 8th and 40th minutes.
Did Al Shorta finish with ten men?
Yes. Abdoul Madjid Moumouni was sent off for a second yellow card in the 76th minute, but East Bengal could not equalise.
When is East Bengal's next AFC Champions League Two match?
They play Oman's Al-Seeb away on 27 October 2026.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
Sourced and fact-checked by the Peepals Global Editorial Team
Reported, fact-checked and published by the Peepals Global Editorial Team.
