KOLKATA: Virtually out of the AFC Cup contest after being beaten twice, home and away, East Bengal’s third encounter against Al Qadsia of Kuwait in Group D at Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Wednesday is now a formality to complete the Asian circuit engagement for being Federation Cup winners in India

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Earlier, the Kolkata giants were drubbed 4-1 by Al Ittihad of Syria in the first play at home and then were thrashed 3-0 by Al Nejmeh of Lebanon in the away match. So much so that the star-studded East Bengal, perhaps are having their worst season after losing three matches and drawing one in last four ONGC I-League engagements. They are being considered out of reckoning in the 14-team country-wide league championship.
Beaten in five out of last six matches they played, the red and gold might find it tough to project a desirable show against the middle-east opponents at the artificial turf at YBK. Al Qadsia challenge for East Bengal looks a tough one, but the Kuwait side have had a slow start in their AFC Cup campaign by just amassing two points from two matches played so far. So the visitors will look to record their first win and move up the ladder in the group standings.