Fri Nov 01 12:01:41 UTC 2024: ## East Bengal Earns Hard-Fought Draw in AFC Challenge League Opener
**THIMPU, Bhutan –** East Bengal FC began their AFC Challenge League campaign with a thrilling 2-2 draw against Paro FC in Bhutan on Thursday. The Super Cup champions took an early lead through Madih Talal, who converted Saul Crespo’s cross in the fifth minute. However, Paro responded quickly with a William Opoku penalty just three minutes later.
Paro continued to dominate the first half, with several dangerous chances that tested East Bengal goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Gill. In stoppage time, Evans Asante put Paro ahead with a swift counter-attack, sending the hosts into the break with a 2-1 advantage.
East Bengal pushed for an equaliser in the second half, with Kazuo Homma coming close for Paro. Dimitrios Diamantakos finally found the back of the net in the 69th minute, coolly finishing Nandhakumar Sekar’s cross after a surging run down the right.
The draw provides a valuable point for East Bengal as they look ahead to their next Group A match against Bashundhara Kings of Bangladesh on Tuesday.
First Piper 