Kolkata : ISL 2025-26 champion East Bengal are all set to host Iraqi giant Al-Shorta for their second AFC Champions League 2 (ACL 2) Group stage clash at Yuva Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata, that is all decked up to stage ISL 2026-27, ACL 2 after hosting Brazil and Uruguay earlier this month. The kick off is slated 7:15 PM IST and East Bengal have vital points at stake as the top 2 teams in each group will advance to Round of 16.
East Bengal enter into the game having tied their last game against Jordan’s Al Hussein 2-2. The Red and Yellow brigade were riding on back of goals of Dani Ramirez and Anwar Ali but Al Hussein equalized late in second half to deny East Bengal a win at war struck Jordan. Now they’re all set to face Al-Shorta of Iraq in a vital clash.
But how strong are Al-Shorta? What’s their history and how much threat they pose to East Bengal? Let’s find out.
Rival Watch : Al-Shorta
Al-Shorta are an Iraqi based giant with their home at Al-Rufasa, Baghdad, found in 1932, currently 94 years old. The team competes in the Iraq Stars League, the top flight of Iraqi football. Since 2026, the team has played its home matches at Al-Shorta Stadium, which was built on the same site as the club’s previous home. The team is affiliated with the Iraqi police force.
Al-Shorta’s football team is one of the most successful in Iraq, having won the Iraq Stars League eight times, the Iraq FA Cup once (completing the domestic double in the 2023–24 season), the Iraqi Super Cup twice and the Baghdad Championship three consecutive times. Al-Shorta hold the Iraq Stars League record for the most consecutive titles, having won four league titles in a row between 2022 and 2025. In international football, Al-Shorta won the inaugural Arab Club Champions Cup title in 1982 and reached the semi-finals in 2023.
Al-Shorta have also featured in Asian club competitions such as the AFC Champions League Elite and have experience in playing the marquee event.
In 2024/25, they came 11th in the West Zone league round with 6 points from 8 matches, finishing the season with a 2-0 win against UAE’s Al Ain.
In 2025/26, they scored a 3-2 win over Qatar’s Al-Duhail in February 2026 to end their Elite tournament campaign with a win.
Recent Form :
Al-Shorta started their campaign in Group D after beating Al-Seeb by a scoreline of 1-0 on September 30, 2026. The Iraqi side was able to secure an opening victory through a goal from Hussein Al-Saedi. They have won four, drawn four and lost one of their last 9 matches.
At a glance : Players to watch out for –
Al-Shorta have a combination of Iraqi internationals and foreigners before the Asian Champions League match against East Bengal. The team features Iraqi forward Mohanad Ali, Nigerian winger Kingsley Fidelis Kuku, Argentine Cristian Barco, Colombian Diego Hernandez and Cameroonian striker Leonel Ateba.
Coach’s corner –
Al-Shorta :
Al-Shorta are coached by Tunisian manager Sami Trabelsi, who recently took charge in July 2026. He brings experience from managing the Tunisia national team and Qatari club Al-Sailiya.
Trabelsi’s most recent international coaching stint with Tunisia ended in February 2025. His experience at international level could prove valuable as Al-Shorta prepare to face East Bengal in the AFC Champions League Two.
Sami Trabelsi offered the following assessment of East Bengal ahead of the match: “We have a great idea about their team. They have good players and we know they can score a lot of goals.”
East Bengal :
East Bengal head coach Antonio López Habas offered his assessment of the challenge ahead: “Al Shorta for me are the favourites in this group. Our opponent has very good players but the difference is that we will play the match in Kolkata. We must capitalise this chance.”
East Bengal will miss services of Effiong, Ake Loba and Lukasz Zwolinski. Hence, the 3 foreigners – last match goalscorer Dani Ramirez, Captain Md Rashid, Diego Zivulic will have added responsibilities on their shoulders.
Recently, East Bengal lost IFA Shield 2026 final to arch rival Mohun Bagan and are at number 2 in ACL 2 Group D points table after draw with Al Hussein. But it’s time to forget all past form and focus on the present clash as every single matches are decider for next round.
