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Team News
Kuwait SC
Central defender Yaqoub Al Taher is suspended due to the sending off in the second leg against New Radiant but he isn’t a first team regular so coach Ion has all key players available. Bahrain defender Hussain Ali Baba was rested on Friday against Al Jahra but should return to the starting eleven for this game. Ion is likely to retain the same midfield that has started in the last two matches while Rogerinho is also expected to start after being rested against New Radiant.
Possible XI: Musab Alkandari; Fahad Awadh, Hussain Ali Baba, Hussain Hakem, Jarah Al Ateeqi; Shereedah Al Shereedah, Waleed Ali, Chadi Hammami, Abdullah Al Buraiki; Rogerinho, Issam Jemaa.
East Bengal
Falopa has a couple of key decisions to take. Firstly he must decide whether to play just one striker upfront or play Edeh Chidi and James Moga together. That system would leave his midfield seriously exposed so the Brazilian could use Chidi in a withdrawn role just behind Moga but he is unlikely to leave any of the foreign strikers on the bench as an away goal would be priceless. The other key decision is the selection of Mehtab’s central midfield partner. Cavin Lovo and vice-captain Harmanjot Khabra are the options but the latter hasn’t played since April.
Possible XI: Gurpreet Sandhu; Naoba Singh, Arnab Mondal, Uga Okpara, Saumik Dey; Reisangmi Vashum, Mehtab Hossain, Harmanjot Khabra, Lalrindika Ralte; Edeh Chidi, James Moga.
Player To Watch
Kuwait SC – Issam Jemaa
The Tunisia legend has scored ten goals in his last four games including another hattrick against Al Jahra on Friday. Jemaa is already the top scorer of the AFC Cup with 13 goals and will be looking to increase his personal tally against East Bengal.
East Bengal – Edeh Chidi
The Nigerian failed to score in both legs against Semen Padang but looked dangerous in the first half of the second leg against the Indonesian team and will be vital for East Bengal as they aim to get an away goal besides keeping a clean sheet.
