Date:14/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/14/stories/2008051453281800.htm

Sport - Football

East Bengal to go all out

New Delhi: East Bengal will go all out against Ahli Sana’a in its final Group ‘B’ match in Sana’a, capital of Yemen, on Wednesday knowing that only an outright win can clear its passage to the knock-out phase of the AFC Cup football.

The Kolkata side is in second place in its group with seven points from five matches, behind Lebanon’s Safa FC, which is on nine points from the same number of outings.

Winners of the five groups and the two best runner-up teams will make it to the knock-out phase. Since two teams each from Group ‘D’ and ‘E’ have secured 10 or more points, only a win will keep East Bengal in the reckoning.

If it pulls off a win, a berth in the quarterfinals will be the second time for the team after its famed squad, which had Bhaichung Bhutia and others in its ranks, made the grade in 2004. — PTI