Wanderer 
David Lalhlansanga Scores Twice, but SC East Bengal vs Al-Shorta Ends in a 3-2 Defeat for the Hosts.
SC East Bengal suffered a painful 3-2 defeat against Al-Shorta in the AFC Champions League Two 2026-27 Group D match at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on October 13. David Lalhlansanga scored twice to give the home side an encouraging start and restore its lead before half-time, but the Iraqi club responded with two quick goals early in the second half to turn the contest around.
The result was a significant setback for East Bengal, who had been searching for their first victory in the group after drawing 2-2 with Jordanian side Al-Hussein in their opening fixture. Al-Shorta, meanwhile, continued their winning start to the competition after beginning their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Oman’s Al-Seeb.
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SC East Bengal vs Al-Shorta: Match Summary
Competition: AFC Champions League Two 2026-27
Group: Group D
Date: October 13, 2026
Venue: Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata
Final score: SC East Bengal 2-3 Al-Shorta
East Bengal scorers: David Lalhlansanga (8′, 40′)
Al-Shorta scorers: Ahmed Yahya (14′), Hussein Ali Al-Saedi (51′), Kingsley Fidelis Kuku (53′)
David Lalhlansanga Gives East Bengal an Early Lead
East Bengal made an energetic start in front of their home supporters and took the lead in the eighth minute through David Lalhlansanga. Hardik Bhatt supplied the assist, setting up the forward to finish and give the Kolkata side an early advantage.
The goal offered East Bengal an ideal beginning as they looked to make their home advantage count in their first home fixture of the group stage. However, the visitors responded quickly, demonstrating why they had entered the match with three points already secured.
Al-Shorta equalised in the 14th minute through Ahmed Yahya. The goal came from a corner, with Yahya rising above the defenders to direct a header into the net. Ruben Ramirez provided the delivery, and the set-piece routine exposed a weakness East Bengal needed to address.
The equaliser changed the rhythm of the contest. Al-Shorta grew more comfortable in possession and continued to look for openings, while East Bengal had to work to regain control. Despite the setback, the home side remained dangerous going forward and found another breakthrough before the interval.
David Strikes Again to Restore East Bengal’s Lead
Lalhlansanga scored his second goal of the evening in the 40th minute, putting East Bengal back in front at 2-1. The move developed after Dani Ramirez’s free-kick was saved by Al-Shorta goalkeeper Jalal Hassan. Mohammad Rashid helped keep the attack alive, and Lalhlansanga was in the right position to convert the rebound.
The goal capped an important first-half performance from the East Bengal forward. His movement and finishing gave the hosts a genuine attacking threat, and his brace put the team in a promising position heading into the break.
East Bengal had reason to believe they could secure their first group-stage win. However, the advantage was narrow, and the visitors had already shown that they could create danger from set pieces. The second half would demand greater defensive concentration from the home side.
Al-Shorta Turn the Match Around After Half-Time
The decisive spell arrived shortly after the restart. Hussein Ali Al-Saedi scored in the 51st minute to bring Al-Shorta level, putting pressure back on the East Bengal defence.
Just two minutes later, Kingsley Fidelis Kuku found the net in the 53rd minute to give the visitors a 3-2 lead. The quick succession of goals completely changed the match and forced East Bengal to chase the game again.
For Al-Shorta, the turnaround demonstrated their ability to respond under pressure. They had conceded twice in the first half but returned with greater attacking urgency and took advantage of the opportunities that came their way.
East Bengal, by contrast, were left to recover from a difficult opening to the second half. After working hard to regain the lead before the interval, the home side suddenly found themselves behind. The challenge was no longer simply to protect an advantage but to find another goal against a team that had gained momentum.
East Bengal’s Group D Campaign Faces Another Test
The defeat leaves East Bengal still searching for their first win in the AFC Champions League Two group stage. Their opening 2-2 draw against Al-Hussein had already highlighted the difficulty of maintaining a lead in continental competition. Against Al-Shorta, the team again showed attacking quality but could not turn that promise into a result.
Lalhlansanga’s two goals were a major positive. Scoring twice against an opponent of Al-Shorta’s calibre demonstrated his ability to make an impact at this level. East Bengal will need contributions from their attacking players as they seek to recover in the remaining group fixtures.
However, the defensive response after half-time will be a concern. Conceding twice within three minutes put the hosts under immediate pressure and shifted the balance of the match. Improving concentration after the break and defending set pieces more effectively will be important lessons from the defeat.
Al-Shorta can take confidence from a second consecutive victory. Their response after falling behind twice showed resilience, while the quick goals after half-time proved decisive. The Iraqi side strengthened its position in Group D and continued its push for progression to the knockout stage.
What Comes Next for East Bengal?
East Bengal must now turn their attention to the remaining group-stage matches, beginning with their away fixture against Al-Seeb on October 27, 2026. The team will need to convert its attacking opportunities into points while reducing the defensive lapses that have cost it results.
The top two teams in Group D advance to the next round, making every remaining match important. East Bengal’s campaign is not over, but the defeat against Al-Shorta increases the importance of a positive response in their next outing.
For Al-Shorta, the 3-2 victory in Kolkata provides another valuable result and keeps their campaign on track. For East Bengal, the performance offered attacking encouragement through Lalhlansanga’s brace, but the final score underlined how quickly a promising match can slip away when defensive organisation breaks down.
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