Amman: Jordan’s Al Hussein recovered from going two goals behind to earn a 2-2 draw with East Bengal FC of India in their AFC Champions League Two 2026-27 Group D tie on Wednesday.
East Bengal led 2-0 at half-time but Al Hussein – in front of their home fans at Amman International Stadium – roared back with two goals of their own in the second half to rescue a point.
East Bengal took an early lead, opening the scoring in the ninth minute after Edmund Lalrindika’s effort bounced awkwardly for Yazeed Abulaila, with the Al Hussein custodian only able to palm the ball towards Daniel Ramirez who gleefully tucked it home.
Al Hussein roused themselves from their slumber and created several chances with Aref Haitham cutting in from the right flank to fire just over the bar before Pedro Henrique’s powerful header was thwarted by Prabhsukhan Singh in East Bengal’s goal.
Against the run of play, the Indian side almost got their second from a quick counter attack in the 38th minute that saw Jay Gupta finding Lalrindika in the box but could only watch in dismay as the latter blazed the ball over from close range.
East Bengal, however, doubled their advantage two minutes later when Ramirez’s corner delivery from the right was misjudged by Abulaila, with the ball hitting Anwar Ali on the shoulder and landing in the net.
Al Hussein’s desperation to find a way back into the game after the break could only produce wayward attempts from distance from defenders Abdallah Nasib and Saleem Amer.
The home side’s perseverance, however, finally paid off in the 61st minute. Kharouba won possession off Hardik Bhatt, drove into the box before cutting the ball back for captain Mahmoud Al Mardi to slide home.
Al Hussein were not done and eventually found the equaliser their play deserved in the 87th minute when Obaida Al Namarnah’s cross from the left flank was steered in beautifully by Ahmad Assaf.
AFC Media
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