THIMPHU — Dimitrios Diamantakos fired East Bengal FC into the knockout stage of the AFC Challenge League 2024/25 after scoring a brace in their 3-2 win against Nejmeh SC of Lebanon in their final Group A match at the Changlimithang Stadium on Friday. East Bengal finished as the Group A winners on seven points to seal progression. The Red and Golds had won 4-0 against Bashundhara Kings (Bangladesh) and drawn 2-2 with Paro FC (Bhutan) in their first two fixtures. East Bengal, who trailed Nejmeh by two points heading into this encounter, took the lead in the eighth minute when Madih Talal’s corner kick was inadvertently headed into his own net by Baba Musah. The Indian side took further advantage of Nejmeh’s slow start to double their advantage in the 15th minute when Diamantakos scored for the third consecutive match when he prodded home a low cross from Mahesh Naorem. A shell-shocked Nejmeh, who had won their two earlier matches, fought back to quickly pull one back three minutes later when Rabih Ataya lobbed the ball for Collins Opare to stab home past Prabsukhan Gill. The Lebanese side rediscovered their confidence and drew level two minutes before half-time when Hussein...