Kolkata: East Bengal secures dominant 8-0 victory in Durand Cup

By Rohan Gupta — 31 July 2026 — 4 min read

East Bengal’s commanding performance

East Bengal FC achieved a significant 8-0 victory over CISF Protectors in a Group A fixture of the Durand Cup. The match took place at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. This win marks a strong return to form for East Bengal, particularly after their recent derby loss.

The Red-and-Gold Brigade established a 3-0 lead by half-time and continued their offensive momentum into the second half, adding five more goals. This dominant display secured all three points for the team and helped to keep their knockout stage aspirations alive in the 135th Durand Cup.

Vishnu P.V. was a standout performer, scoring a hat-trick. Jesin T.K. contributed with two goals, while Jeakson Singh also found the back of the net. An unfortunate own goal by CISF Protectors captain Mohammad Khalid further extended East Bengal‘s lead.

The match saw tactical adjustments from both sides. East Bengal FC head coach Antonio López Habas opted for a 4-3-3 system, making six changes to the starting lineup from the team that played in the Kolkata Derby against Mohun Bagan Super Giant. These changes included Phurba Lachenpa, Hardik Bhatt, PV Vishnu, Daniel Ramírez, Mohamad Basim Rashid, and Jesin TK coming in for Prabhsukhan Singh Gill, Jay Gupta, Rohit Kumar, Rohit Danu, Bipin Singh, and David Lalhlansanga, respectively. Players like Anwar Ali, Lalchungnunga, Sandip Mandi, Jeakson Singh, and Edmund Lalrindika maintained their positions in the starting eleven.

CISF Protectors also made changes, with head coach Shehzad Khan setting up his team in a 4-4-2 formation. Mohammad Khalid returned to the lineup in place of Pawan Pratap Singh, and Aditya replaced Thangminlien Haokip in defence. The rest of the starters remained unchanged as CISF aimed to build on their previous outing.

East Bengal immediately asserted control from the start. Hardik Bhatt delivered an early cross, and Jesin T.K. tested Raj Kumar Mahato. Vishnu P.V. nearly opened the scoring with an acrobatic effort that hit the woodwork, signaling East Bengal‘s relentless attacking intent. The team maintained possession and territory, with Edmund Lalrindika and Hardik Bhatt stretching the opposition’s defence. Jeakson Singh shot narrowly wide, and Vishnu forced a save from Raj Kumar Mahato with a powerful long-range strike. CISF attempted counter-attacks through Jacob C. and Jatinder Kumar, but Phurba Lachenpa in goal was largely untroubled.

Despite CISF‘s disciplined low block defence, which frustrated East Bengal for a significant part of the first half, the breakthrough eventually came. Jatinder Kumar made a crucial block, and players like Karamjeet Singh and Bebetto, along with the rest of the backline, dealt with numerous dangerous deliveries into the penalty area. Raj Kumar Mahato also made a double save, denying Mohamad Basim Rashid from close range.

The opening goal arrived in the 38th minute when Edmund Lalrindika‘s cutback found Vishnu P.V., who scored with a backheel finish. Four minutes later, East Bengal‘s lead doubled as Vishnu‘s low cross from the left deflected off Mohammad Khalid and then off goalkeeper Raj Kumar Mahato for an own goal. Just before half-time, Daniel Ramírez set up Jeakson Singh for a tap-in, sending East Bengal into the break with a 3-0 advantage.

The momentum continued into the second half. Two minutes after the restart, Sandip Mandi‘s cross was met by Vishnu P.V. with an overhead kick for his second goal. East Bengal maintained dominance, with Mohamad Basim Rashid‘s corner forcing another save and Hardik Bhatt‘s long-range effort going wide. Vishnu almost completed his hat-trick after rounding the goalkeeper, but Daniel Ramírez‘s follow-up hit the side netting.

Coach Antonio López Habas introduced Bipin Singh and Rohit Kumar for Daniel Ramírez and Mohamad Basim Rashid, maintaining the pressure. Lalchungnunga hit the post, and Jesin T.K. and Edmund Lalrindika also rattled the woodwork. The fifth goal came in the 64th minute when Bipin Singh finished a swift counter-attack. Six minutes later, Jesin T.K. scored to make it 6-0.

As CISF‘s resistance waned, Jesin scored his second goal, and Vishnu P.V. completed his hat-trick by steering Bipin Singh‘s cross into the net, making the score 8-0. East Bengal continued to press for more goals until the final whistle, with Bipin Singh and Jesin T.K. combining in late attacks. The comprehensive 8-0 victory secured East Bengal‘s first three points of the campaign and left CISF Protectors with a second consecutive defeat.

Shillong Lajong’s winning start

In another Durand Cup fixture, Shillong Lajong FC began their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Nongkseh Sports and Cultural Club. This match, referred to as the Shillong Derby, was the opening fixture of Group E and took place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

The decisive goals for Shillong Lajong FC were scored by Everbrightson Sana and Tremiki Lamurong. Everbrightson Sana scored in the 70th minute, and Tremiki Lamurong added another goal in the 86th minute, securing the win for the team from Shillong.

The next match scheduled for Saturday is between NorthEast United FC and Bodoland FC in Group F at 4:30 PM at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati.

Source: newindianexpress.com