Pedang, (Indonesia): A tough away test awaits East Bengal as the Indian club, already dubbed underdogs by coach Marcos Falopa despite a one-goal cushion, look to earn a maiden semi-final berth with a positive result against Semen Pedang in their AFC Cup 2nd leg quarter-final on Tuesday.
East Bengal had won the first leg at home 1-0, with Japanese substitute Ryuji Sueoka scoring the all-important goal at the Salt Lake Stadium.
But things could be different for East Bengal at the Haji Agus Salim Stadium, with the conditions expected to favour the home side. And, in East Bengal coach Marcos Falopa's own words, the local crowd and conditions could only add to the pressure on his side.
But the visitors can take heart from the fact they are still unbeaten in the competition this season, and have won once and drawn twice on the road on their way to the last eight.
For Semen Pedang, the defeat to East Bengal was their first of the season, having topped Group E with an unbeaten record.
As far as team news is concerned, Gurpreet Singh is expected to continue under East Bengal bar despite the return of pint-sized Abhijit Mondal from an injury.
Young Gurpreet gave a good account of himself in the home game and will like to replicate his first-leg show on Tuesday.
Stopper backs Uga Okpara and Arnab Mondal, one of the best central defence pairing in I-League, will be entrusted with the task of keeping Edward Wilson Junior and Titus Bonai at bay.
With Noaba Singh on the right and Saumik Dey on the left, East Bengal will look to have them attack from the flanks, apart from doing their defensive duties. Skipper Mehtab Hossain is likely to lead the midfield, and he will be up against the creative duo of Muhammad Nur Iskandar and Vendry Mofu - both troubled the East Bengal defence in the first leg.
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