East Bengal FC secure a hard-fought goalless draw against Al Seeb in Oman but miss a golden opportunity to climb Group D standings ahead of the November 3 return fixture in Kolkata.

Kolkata, October 27: The representatives of India East Bengal FC, ended their AFC Champions League Two’s third fixture against Al Seeb with a determined performance and a crucial point. On Tuesday evening, at Al Seeb Stadium in Oman, East Bengal played out a goalless draw against the hosts. Next, Al Seeb are invited to the home of the Kolkata giants on 3rd November to play the next fixture.

First half scenario:

The Red and Gold Brigade seemed to attack down the left flank from the opening minutes, with Jay Gupta pushing forward to deliver crosses into the box. However, Al Seeb’s defence remained organised, dealing with the early deliveries and limiting East Bengal’s opportunities.

East Bengal continued to build through Dani Ramirez and Rashid, but struggled to turn their possession into meaningful chances in the final third.

At the other end, Al Seeb gradually increased the pressure with their pressing and possession. East Bengal, meanwhile, worked to maintain their defensive shape and prevent the hosts from exploiting spaces behind their backline.

The best opportunity of the half arrived in the 30th minute. David Lalhlansanga received the ball inside the penalty area and fired a shot through the legs of Al Saadi, but goalkeeper Al Wahaibi respond with a good save to deny him the opening goal.

Al Seeb threatened to take advantage of East Bengal’s high line in the 39th minute, as Axel Meye attempted to find a teammate with a cross after a run down the right flank. However, his delivery failed to trouble the Red And Gold Brigade, also they had dealt with a free-kick in the 42nd minute, with Edmund clearing Hassan’s delivery to safety.

With eight shots recorded and only one on target for each side, the first half offered little to separate the teams. Both defences had largely kept their opponents at bay, leaving the contest goalless at the interval

The display of the final half:

East Bengal came out with more intent after the break, but their attempts to find a goal were repeatedly frustrated by Al Seeb’s goalkeeper and a defence that held firm during the closing stages.

The Red And Gold threatened first in the 52nd minute when Dani Ramirez drove forward on a counter-attack. His attempt to find a Red And Gold shirt was cut out by the home defence, but East Bengal kept the pressure on. Bipin Singh followed with a delivery that forced Al Wahaibi into action, giving the them an early opportunity to take the lead in the second half.

Al Seeb responded with two promising attacks immediately. In the 56th minute, Meye broke into the penalty area but could not finish the move, while Al Busaidi sent his subsequent effort over the crossbar. Two minutes later, the hosts again found space down the left, but Meye arrived too late to connect with Al Busaidi’s cross.

East Bengal found another opening in the 69th minute. Rashid won a corner, and the resulting delivery found Loba inside the six-yard box. After controlling the ball with his chest, Loba attempted a volley, but his effort flew narrowly over the bar, wasting probably one of the closest chance of the match.

The game opened up further as the clock ticked down towards the last whistle. Al Seeb nearly snatched the lead in the 79th minute when Al Malki met a cross from the left, but his attempt landed on the roof of the net.

East Bengal had an opportunity of their own a minute later. Rashid picked out Bipin with a diagonal pass from midfield, and the winger raced forward before testing Al Wahaibi. The goalkeeper came up with a crucial save to keep the score level.

Both teams continued to search for a decisive moment, but the finishing remained elusive. As East Bengal had found better opportunities after the interval, yet Al Seeb remained dangerous on the counter, leaving the contest finely poised.

The goalless draw saw East Bengal FC miss a golden opportunity to climb up the Group D standings. Despite creating threats, the Red and Gold Brigade could not find the breakthrough and remain third with two points, while the Oman side opened their book with their first point of the campaign.