The Red and Gold Brigade is the only Indian platoon active in AFC competitions this season, and will be looking to go further in the event in which they remain undefeated so far.
East Bengal FC will look to trio back from their recent domestic failure and put up a strong performance at the transnational position when they take on Turkmenistan’s FK Arkadag in the first leg of the AFC Challenge League quarter-tests at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Wednesday.
With Mohun Bagan SG formerly excluded from the AFC Champions League Two, East Bengal are the only Indian platoon left in the international crown.
Given their position, the Red and Gold will be keen to get a palm at home and take an early lead before heading to Armada for the return institution on March 12.
Head trainer Oscar Bruzon, who helped East Bengal qualify for the knockouts after an astral performance in the group league stage in Bhutan, believes the platoon will put its recent bummers behind.
“we are carrying the country’s flag on our shirts’ moment. We can see how important anticipation the game has generated. So, from the trainer’s side, I suppose it is about giving durability to the work we have been doing throughout the season,” Buzan tried to put effects in perspective.
“But after the recent performances of our players, I suppose we can be at full speed and play well against Arkadag,” Bruzzone said.
The East Bengal trainer will be confident of the performances of the foreign players as there are no limits on their operation in the event rules. With Anwar Ali out with a hamstring injury, Bruzzone will be missing a vital member of the platoon’s protective outfit.
“And the game is 90 twinkles. So, we are going to optimize our coffers. Since this event allows unlimited enrollment of nonnatives, we will reply according to the situation. We will assess the circumstances if we are winning, if we are losing, if we need to hold on further, or if we need to go each-by on the attack and also decide on the combination,” Bruijn said about how to use the backups.
