David’s brace in vain as East Bengal loses 2-3 to Al Shorta in AFC Champions League 2

David Hmar scored both goals for East Bengal in the first half in their AFC Champions League 2 match in Kolkata. | Photo Credit: EBFC Media

David Hmar’s heroics proved too little for East Bengal as it lost 2-3 to Al Shorta in a topsy-turvy clash in the AFC Champions League 2026-27 in Kolkata on Tuesday.

David opened the scoring in the eighth minute, getting a pass from the right and shooting on target with a brilliant turn in the penalty box. Shorta found a way back into the match within six minutes as Ahmed Yahya shot from Ruben Ramirez’s pass to make it 1-1.

East Bengal’s coach Antonio Lopez Habas instructed his boys to march up the pitch in the hydration break, and soon David dragged the team back in front to trigger wild celebrations from the home fans.

Al Shorta began its comeback after the break with Hussein Ali Al-Saedi and Kingsley Kuku scoring apiece in two minutes, securing full points for the Iraqi side.