East Bengal held to 2-2 draw by Al Hussein in AFC Champions League Two 2026-27 opener

East Bengal’s Anwar Ali celebrates with teammates after scoring his side’s second goal during the AFC Champions League Two 2026-27 group stage match against Al Hussein. | Photo Credit: East Bengal/X

East Bengal began its AFC Champions League Two 2026-27 campaign with a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Jordan club Al Hussein at the Amman International Stadium on Wednesday.

The Red and Gold Brigade took the lead in the ninth minute with Dani Ramirez tapping the ball in from close range after the opposition goalkeeper parried Edmund Lalrindika’s shot into the Spaniard’s path.

The lead was doubled five minutes from half-time after Anwar Ali rose the highest in the box to meet a corner kick from Ramirez before delivering a thumping header to put the ball in the back of the net.

The home side came out stronger in the second half, and skipper Mahmoud Al Mardi halved the deficit with a curling finish from inside the box.

Al Hussein kept its foot on the pedal and was rewarded for its efforts through its substitutes, with Obeida Al Namarneh finding Ahmad Assaf at the far post with a perfectly weighted cross. Assaf made no mistake in beating Prabsukhan Giil, with just three minutes of regulation time left.