Mohun Bagan Super Giant overcame a listless first-half display to beat Sporting Club Delhi 2-1 in the Indian Super League at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Friday. Lee Erwin and Miguel Figueira scored for Bagan in front of a thin crowd largely backing the visitors.

Delhi’s lone goal came via Lalrinliana Hnamte. It was set up by left-back Manoj Mohammad, who spotted Hnamte’s angled run and duly found the midfielder with a lob over the Bagan defence. Hnamte, who had earlier taken a shot from distance, controlled the aerial pass with his chest and cushioned his finish past Bagan goalkeeper Vishal Kaith.

The Kolkata giant pressed hard for a response once the second half began, with Anirudh Thapa coming close to an equaliser in the 50th minute. The midfielder should have at least forced a save from the Delhi custodian, but his left-footed shot was slightly off target.

Thapa was able to make amends six minutes later by turning provider. Having received a pass on the right side of the 18-yard box, he teed up Rahul Bheke for a shot close to goal. While Bheke only managed to get an outstretched leg on the ball, Erwin was in the right position to latch on.

In the 60th minute, Bagan went ahead. Apuia did the hard work with a twinkle-toed run through a cluster of Delhi players. His subsequent pass for Figueira allowed the Brazilian to open up his body and slot the ball into the net.

The result: Sporting Club Delhi 1 (Lalrinliana Hnamte 23) lost to Mohun Bagan Super Giant 2 (Lee Erwin 56, Miguel Figueira 60).

Defending Indian Super League champion East Bengal FC faces a tough continental test when it meets Kuwaiti league runner-up Al Arabi SC in an AFC Champions League Two preliminary-stage knockout match at the Salt Lake Stadium on Wednesday.

East Bengal returns to the competition after featuring in the AFC Challenge League in the 2024-25 season. It lost the ACL Two qualifying tie to Turkmenistan’s Altyn Asyr after qualifying as the Super Cup winner.

This time, the Kolkata giant has earned its place after winning India’s top league, and will be eager to make the opportunity count.

The victor of this match will advance to the ACL Two group league stage.

East Bengal began the new season under experienced Spanish coach Antonio Lopez Habas, who has replaced compatriot Oscar Bruzon, the man who guided the club to its first top-flight league title in 22 years.

The club has also revamped its foreign contingent while retaining Palestinian playmaker Basim Rashid. Spanish midfielder Dani Ramirez and Australian midfielder Chris Ikonomidis are available for selection.

However, East Bengal faces defensive concerns. Spanish centre-back Nacho Monsalve is out with a knee injury, while the other experienced defender Lalchungnunga is suspended following his red card against FC Arkadag in last year’s AFC Challenge League quarterfinal.

Habas could therefore be forced to field an all-Indian defence led by Anwar Ali.

Al Arabi, which spent over a month preparing in Turkiye, possesses significant attacking quality, with Palestinian Zaid Qunbar, Brazilian Lucas Shallon and Nigerian Anayo Iwuala among their key threats.