East Bengal FC head coach Carles Cuadrat has called on fans to fill the stands and lift their team's spirits as his men take on Altyn Asyr FC in the inaugural AFC Asian Champions League (ACL) Two Preliminary Stage match on Wednesday at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.

After a nine-year absence from continental competitions, the Red and Gold Brigade have secured their place in the ACL following their Kalinga Super Cup victory last season. The Indian Super League (ISL) club will go up against one of Turkmenistan’s top teams in a knockout clash, with their sights set on reaching the ACL Two group stages.

Cuadrat acknowledged the challenges that East Bengal FC will encounter upon their return to Asian competition and recognized the significance of participating in the continental tournament.

"It's a very important match for the club. It has been a long time since we have played in Asia. It makes us proud to represent India in Asian competitions. For a long time, the club has been away from those kinds of challenges. We are going to be ready for this, and it will be a difficult test," Cuadrat said in the pre-match press conference.

The East Bengal FC head coach praised their opponents, Altyn Asyr FC, who have participated in the tournament consecutively over the past few years.

Cuadrat remarked: “We are going to play against a club that has been showing that they deserve to be in the Asian competitions year after year. It's going to be a good test for us to prove ourselves that we are also at that kind of level, and we can represent the country in top competitions in Asia."

Cuadrat highly praised the 2018 AFC Cup runners-up for their consistent participation in Asian competitions and their impressive performances in domestic leagues and Cup tournaments in recent years.

During his tenure with Bengaluru FC, the Spaniard faced the Turkmenistan club in the AFC Cup, where the Blues suffered a defeat against the eight-time Ýokary Liga champions.

Reflecting on this, he stated, “We have to be realistic. I am a very pragmatic coach. I know what I’m doing. I know Altyn Asyr FC was a very difficult opponent for me five years ago when I was coaching Bengaluru FC. I know what kind of team they are.

“A lot of players on our team will play their first AFC match; they have players who have played 20 or more matches in the competition. We have been working on the match plans; we will put players in those conditions so that we can fight for the game,” he further added.

Cuadrat aims to capitalize on the home advantage, emphasizing the importance of their passionate supporters in the crucial knockout tie. The Spaniard believes that the fans could play a pivotal role in the match with their energetic chants and steadfast support.

“But it is very clear that we need support from our home fans; we need the crowd to help us in the Salt Lake Stadium,” he said.

“Clearly, we are underdogs. They have been on the group stage for the last few seasons. They got three victories in the group stage last season. So they have players with experience playing in the AFC Cup; for us, some of the players, it will be their first experience,” he commented.

Cuadrat expressed that his team must demonstrate a ‘never-say-die’ attitude on the pitch from the first minute to the final whistle to advance to the ACL 2 group stages. However, he remained cautious about expecting his team to start the match strongly, given his players' limited experience on the AFC stage.

"We are not favourites. We are playing in Asia after nine years. But one thing is very clear: East Bengal FC always show a never-say-die attitude, and we are going to go for that,” he said.

“We are going to take the support of our fans. We know they are getting tickets for the game in a very big way. It means that they are ready for the competition, and my players are also ready.

“For us, it's a new thing happening. We have a wonderful opportunity to make it happen in our stadium. So, that’s what we are going to try. We will go for a good match plan, try to be competitive, and go for the result," Cuadrat further added.

We are ready to accept this challenge: Nandhakumar Sekar

East Bengal FC’s dynamic winger, Nandhakumar Sekar, accompanied Cuadrat at the pre-match press conference.

Sekar, who was sidelined for the last few matches of the previous season due to injury, has also been absent this season after picking up another injury in the pre-season friendly. However, the forward is expected to make a return with the Red and Gold Brigade in their forthcoming fixture against Altyn Asyr FC.

Additionally, Sekar is set to make his debut in Asian competitions with East Bengal FC in the upcoming match. Sharing his excitement about participating in this important fixture, the forward said, "I am really excited to play in this match. This is my first AFC game, and we are ready to accept this challenge.”

“The players are excited, and we are hungry to play. We have a great challenge in front of us. We’ll be ready for the match," he added.

Match Details

Fixture: East Bengal FC vs Altyn Asyr FC

Date: August 14, 2024

Time: 7 PM

Venue: Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata

Telecast: Zee 24 Ghanta TV and Zee 24 YouTube Channel

Related tags:

East Bengal FC2023-2024 Carles Xiques CaudratNandhakumar Sekar