Following a triumphant comeback against Al Arabi in the
In the group stage of the Durand Cup, East Bengal finished second in Group A, trailing only their city rivals, Mohun Bagan Super Giant. Their campaign began with a narrow 0-1 loss in the
Indian Army's Strong Performance
The Indian Army Football Team, which topped Group B with a perfect record of nine points, poses a formidable challenge for East Bengal. Their path to the quarterfinals included a 1-0 win over Samaleswari Sporting, a 4-0 victory against Baghpat FC, and a 2-1 triumph over Mohammedan SC. Known for their disciplined organization and physical style of play, the Army team also presents a significant threat from set pieces, which could test East Bengal's defensive capabilities. Coach Antony Ramesh has emphasized that while his team respects East Bengal's quality, they are not intimidated by the occasion.
Other Quarterfinal Matchup
In another quarterfinal match taking place in Ranchi, unbeaten SC Delhi will face debutants FC Raengdai. SC Delhi dominated Group C, winning all three of their matches, with Brazilian forward Rodriguinho emerging as a standout player, netting six goals in the tournament. Conversely, FC Raengdai has been a surprising contender in their inaugural Durand Cup, finishing at the top of Group D. Forward Midul Doley has been instrumental in their success, scoring three goals, including a hat-trick against TRAU FC. The quarterfinals will kick off with SC Delhi versus Raengdai at 4 PM IST, followed by East Bengal's match against the Indian Army at 7 PM in Kolkata.
