It was a big blow to the knockout-stage hopes of the Red and Gold Brigade, who have now slipped to the bottom of Group D with two points from four games. Al-Seeb are now in third place with four points. After a tepid opening half, Axel Meye broke the deadlock in stunning fashion in the 85th minute before Zahir Al Aghbari sealed the victory for the Omani club in the first minute of stoppage time.
East Bengal conceded two late goals to suffer a 0-2 defeat against Al-Seeb Club of Oman in their fourth AFC Champions League 2 group match at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Tuesday.
Ramirez then missed another opportunity in the 39th minute, controlling Lalrindika’s cross before dragging his effort wide of the far post as the score remained goalless heading into the break. The Omani side looked more likely to score, with Omer Al Malki forcing Lachenpa into a reflex save from inside the six-yard box in the 76th minute before sending his follow-up effort just wide of the left post.
Al-Seeb finally got their act together just after the half-hour mark when Abdul Aziz Al Maqbali’s through ball released Meye into the box, but the Gabonese forward’s low drive was comfortably saved by East Bengal goalkeeper Phurba Lachenpa. The home side dominated the opening proceedings, with Bipin Singh Thounaojam firing wide from the edge of the box in the fourth minute before Dani Ramirez sent a low effort just wide after a neat passing move from captain Mohammed Rashid. Al-Seeb came back rejuvenated in the second half, with Meye wasting another opportunity in the 49th minute, sending his header just over the bar following Mohammed Al Musalami’s layoff from a corner. East Bengal responded in the 55th minute through Lalrindika, whose header from Sandip Mandi’s cross narrowly missed the target, while Augustine Oladapo also failed to hit the target from distance.
Despite seeing defender Anwar Ali forced off due to injury in the 17th minute, the Indian Super League side continued to press, with Edmund Lalrindika threatening while Ramirez headed Bipin’s cross narrowly wide.
