East Bengal successfully defended their league title from the previous season, competing in the 2003-04 NFL.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply.
[9][10] After winning the 2002–03 National Football League, East Bengal was invited to the inaugural 2003 ASEAN Club Championship held at Jakarta, Indonesia.
[citation needed] Top clubs from South-East Asia participated in the tournament which included the favourites BEC Tero Sasana from Thailand who already reached the 2002–03 AFC Champions League Finals.
The star-studded team consisted of Golden Ball winner of 2002–03 AFC Champions League: Therdsak Chaiman.
On 26 July 2003, East Bengal made history as they defeated the favourites BEC Tero Sasana 3–1 with goals from Mike Okoro, Bhaichung and Alvito D'Cunha, hence becoming the first Indian club to win a top-level officially recognised tournament in foreign soil.