Indian Super League champions East Bengal led twice but lost 3-2 against Iraqi side Al-Shorta in its second AFC Champions League Two 2026-27 Group D match at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Tuesday.
David Lalhlansanga (8’, 40’) scored a first-half brace for the Red and Gold Brigade, while Ahmed Yahya (14’), Hussein Ali Al-Saedi (51’) and Kingsley Fidelis Kuku (53’) netted for Al-Shorta.
Lalhlansanga opened the scoring in the eighth minute, finishing Hardik Bhatt’s pass to put the hosts ahead.
The lead didn’t last long, though, as Al Shorta responded through Ahmed Yahya, who headed home in the 14th minute.
David Lalhlansanga then completed his brace by restoring East Bengal’s advantage five minutes before half-time after a back-heel set him up for a close-range finish and gave the hosts a 2-1 lead at the break.
However, the visitors came out strong after the break, with Hussein Ali Al-Saedi equalising just six minutes into the second period.
Kingsley Fidelis Kuku then netted the winner just two minutes later to complete the turnaround and give Al Shorta a 3-2 lead.
With time running out, East Bengal pushed for an equaliser, but goalkeeper Jalal Hassan made crucial saves to deny them.
Al Shorta were then reduced to 10 men in the 76th minute after Abdoul Madjid Moumouni received a second yellow card.
However, the hosts failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage and could not find a late breakthrough, falling to their first defeat in the competition.
East Bengal had also thrown away a two-goal advantage and were held to a 2-2 draw by Jordanian side Al-Hussein in their opening Group D match.
The Red and Gold Brigade currently find themselves third in Group D with one point from two games, while Al-Shorta are on top with two wins and six points.
The Kolkata giants will face Oman’s Al-Seeb Club in their next group clash on October 27.
A total of 32 football teams – 16 each from the West and East Zones – are competing in the AFC Champions League Two group stage. They have been divided into eight groups of four teams each.
