AFC Cup QF (2nd leg): East Bengal preview

Japanese substitute Ryuji Sueoka scored the only goal of the game in front of a 30,000 crowd at Salt Lake Stadium last week as East Bengal maintained their perfect 100% record at home in this season’s competition.

But with the second leg taking place at Padang’s Agus Salim Stadium, Falopa is well aware his side face a tough task of securing a place in the semi-finals with the home side boasting a 100% home record in the AFC Cup this season having posted four wins.

“It will be a hard match for us as our opponents are favourites as they will enjoy the benefits of home conditions,” said 64-year-old Falopa, who was brought in during the off-season to replace Englishman Trevor Morgan who left the club in May after winning two I-League titles and two Federation Cups during his three-year spell with the Kolkota club.

“But we are prepared for it and will make all efforts to enter the semi-final.

“I expect it will be an interesting match, although even though we are leading 1-0 we are the underdogs.”

The I-League side, though, also boast a healthy away record in the AFC Cup this season having recorded a win and two draws during the group stage.

East Bengal beat Singapore’s Tampines Rovers, while drawing in Vietnam with Sai Gon Xuan Thanh and in Malaysia with Selangor.

“Padang has some good players like Edward Junior Wilson and Elie Aiboy,” added Falopa.

“They will also be bolstered by the return of their Argentine midfielder Esteban [Vizcarra], but we have made all preparations we need.”

The winner following Tuesday's second leg will earn a semi-final against either defending champions Kuwait Sports Club or New Radiant of the Maldives next month.

At the National Stadium in Male last week, Kuwait SC recorded a 7-2 win over New Radiant to take a huge step towards a fourth semi-final appearance in five years.