East Bengal were held to a goalless draw by Oman’s Al Seeb in Seeb on Tuesday, failing to convert chances in an AFC Champions League Two Group D match. The point leaves them third on two points at the halfway mark, with the return fixture in Kolkata on 3 November.
Seeb, Oman: East Bengal left the Al Seeb Stadium with a point and a long list of half-chances. Matchday 3 in Group D produced openings at both ends, but neither side could turn them into a goal.
Hosts fast out of the blocks
Al Seeb made the more purposeful start. Abdulmageed Al Balushi tested East Bengal goalkeeper Phurba Lachenpa with an early shot in the eighth minute, and Ahmed Al Riyami later curled an effort that missed the target. Lachenpa and the defence held firm, and the Omani side could not turn their early pressure into a lead.
East Bengal’s missed openings
East Bengal found chances of their own. David Lalhlansanga forced a save from Al Seeb goalkeeper Muatasim Al Wahaibi, and Anwar Ali shot over. Edmund Lalrindika fired over the bar in the 49th minute, and Axel Meye sent another effort across goal. None of them found the net.
Habas blames tired legs
Head coach Antonio Lopez Habas was candid afterwards. He called it a bad performance from his team, said the side lacked intensity and looked tired after a week away from Kolkata and a lot of travel, and acknowledged that Al Seeb played well. He also said a point was better than a defeat and that he was sure the team would raise its level for the next match.
A tight Group D at the halfway mark
The draw leaves East Bengal third in Group D with two points, three behind Al Hussein of Jordan on five and behind leaders Al Shorta of Iraq on seven. Al Seeb are bottom on one. Earlier this month, East Bengal had lost 3-2 to Al Shorta in Kolkata.
The two sides meet again in Kolkata on 3 November, giving East Bengal an immediate chance to turn this draw into three points on home soil.
Result: Al Seeb 0-0 East Bengal, AFC Champions League Two 2026-27, Group D, Matchday 3, Al Seeb Stadium, Seeb, Oman, 27 October 2026.
