Antonio Lopez Habas backs East Bengal to build on their Al Hussein draw, while stressing the need for focus against group favourites Al Shorta despite limited preparation.

Kolkata, October 12: East Bengal FC showed that they could compete in the AFC Champions League Two when they held Al Hussein to a 2-2 draw on September 16, coming back with a determined performance after taking a two-goal lead. Now, as the Red and Gold Brigade prepare for their first home game of the continental campaign against Iraqi club Al Shorta on Tuesday, head coach Antonio Lopez Habas wants his side to focus on the challenge in front of them rather than look too far ahead.

The preparation has been short, particularly after East Bengal’s demanding schedule including the Durand Cup, IFA Shield, but Habas made it clear that his team would not use that as an excuse. “It was a short preparation because we had to play in the final, it wasn’t easy. But no excuses. I think that the team is prepared and with good confidence for the match again on Sunday,” he said, expressing confidence in his players ahead of the contest.

Habas also acknowledged the quality of the opposition, describing Al Shorta as one of the favourites in the group. For East Bengal, the task will be to find a way to impose their own style while respecting what the Iraqi side brings to the game. “We have to win our idea and understand that the opponent is a very good team,” he said.

Habas backs Loba and Lucas to grow into their roles!
East Bengal’s preparations have also involved getting new players up to speed. Habas pointed out that Loba and Lucas have had only nine days of training, making it too early to expect them to deliver their full potential over 90 minutes.

The coach, however, remains confident in both players and believes their involvement can increase as they build their fitness and understanding of the team.

“This is a process. It has to be prepared. And I have a lot of confidence in both players. But the players need time also,” Habas explained, adding that the aim would be to give them more minutes as the team progresses.

His comments suggest that East Bengal are still working towards their best combination, with the coach balancing the need for immediate results against the time new arrivals need to settle.

No advantage in foreign-player numbers, says Habas!

Asked whether East Bengal’s foreign-player options could give them an advantage, Habas dismissed the suggestion. For him, selection is not simply about the number of foreign players available but about the quality and balance of the squad as a whole.

“We have very good players and, for me, the same level,” he said, while acknowledging that experience in continental competition can make a difference.

Habas also cautioned against expecting the two halves of a football match to follow the same pattern. The scoreline, injuries, substitutions and several other factors can change the course of a game, making it important for his side to adapt rather than rely on a fixed script.

With the group-stage campaign still unfolding, Habas refused to get drawn into wider predictions about the competition. Instead, he insisted that Al Shorta must remain East Bengal’s immediate priority.

“The next match, the next opponent, Al Shorta, is the most important opponent,” he said.

For East Bengal, Tuesday’s match offers an opportunity to build on the resilience they displayed against Al Hussein and turn a promising away performance into a result in front of their home supporters. The 2-2 draw showed their ability to challenge a strong opponent, but the next step is to sustain that level over another demanding contest.

Habas knows the quality of Al Shorta, but his message was straightforward, East Bengal must concentrate on their own game, execute their plans and take the opportunity in front of them. In a group where every result can shape the campaign, the focus remains on the next 90 minutes.

Kick off: 7:30 PM, Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.
Streaming on Fancode.