East Bengal FC Crash Out of AFC Champions League After Defeat to Altyn Asyr FC

East Bengal FC's AFC Champions League campaign came to an abrupt end on Wednesday as they succumbed to a 2-3 defeat against Turkmenistan's Altyn Asyr FC in the AFC Champions League Two Preliminary Stage in Kolkata. The Kolkata giants will now compete in the AFC Challenge League Group Stage.

Despite a promising start, East Bengal found themselves trailing 2-1 at halftime. Altyn Asyr FC, fielding a team without any foreign players, equalized through Myrat Annayev's volley in the 17th minute. Nurmyradov Selim's free-kick gave the visitors the lead 11 minutes later.

East Bengal's hopes of a comeback were further dented when Mihail Titov extended Altyn Asyr FC's lead to 3-1 in the second half. Saul Crespo pulled one back for the hosts in the 59th minute, but it proved to be a mere consolation.

East Bengal's early exit from the AFC Champions League is a disappointment for the club and its fans. The Kolkata giants had hoped to make a deep run in the competition, but they were ultimately outplayed by a determined Altyn Asyr FC side.

Altyn Asyr FC, on the other hand, will be delighted with their victory. The Turkmen champions showed great resilience and quality to overcome East Bengal's early lead and secure a place in the next round of the AFC Champions League.

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