East Bengal will now play in the AFC Challenge League Group Stage.

Kolkata: East Bengal made an early exit from the preliminary stage of the AFC Champions League Two after losing 2-3 against Turkmenistan's Altyn Esir FC on Wednesday. East Bengal will now play in the AFC Challenge League Group Stage. In overcast conditions, Altyn Esir FC had the last laugh despite conceding the opening goal. Altyn Asyr FC led 2-1 at the halfway point and added another to their tally in the second half before East Bengal pulled one back.

East Bengal got off to a bright start against a team that had no foreign players and were last season's runners-up in the Yokari League, a Turkmen league. East Bengal took the lead when Nandkumar Sekar's measured cross from the left was headed by an unmarked David Lalhalansanga but the woodwork prevented the ball from going in.

The rebound again fell to Lalhalansang who made no mistake in slotting the ball and putting his side ahead. But Altyn Esir FC fought back and equalized in the 17th minute through midfielder and captain Mirat Annayev, whose volley left East Bengal goalkeeper Prabhasukhan Singh Gill stranded.

Altyn Asyr FC struck again after 11 minutes when the imposing presence of Nurmyradov Selim left East Bengal's defense in dire straits on several occasions. His free-kick from outside the area hit Gill fair and square.

The Turkmenistan team piled on the pressure in the second half and consolidated their lead seven minutes after the last change. Mikhail Titov tapped in from close range on the left and Annayev's cross from the right found him in the perfect position. East Bengal reduced the deficit in the 59th minute when Saul Crespo slotted home with a right-footer but that was all they could do for the evening.