East Bengal FC wrapped up their Durand Cup 2025 group stage in style, hammering Indian Air Force FT 6-1 at the Kishore Bharati Stadium and sealing top spot in their Group A.
It was a display dripping with attacking flair, as the Red & Gold Brigade unleashed 25 attempts on goal – 16 of them on target – leaving their opponents chasing shadows for most of the evening.
The tone was set early. Moroccan forward Hamid Ahadad broke the deadlock in the 6th minute, meeting Edmund Lalrindika’s pinpoint cross with a decisive header. It was ex Mumbai City man, Bipin Singh, who doubled the lead in the 25th minute, rounding the IAFT goalkeeper with composure before slotting in.
A brief twist came in the 35th minute when Aman pulled one back for the Airmen with a smartly taken header, but East Bengal’s grip on the match never loosened. They went into the break 2-1 ahead but with the scent of more goals in the air.
After the restart, East Bengal shifted into overdrive. Anwar Ali rose highest to head home in the 63rd minute, restoring the two-goal cushion. Just four minutes later, Mohammad Rashid struck from distance – a deflected effort that marked his first goal for the club. Late in the game, substitutes Saul Crespo and David joined the scoring party, netting in the 85th minute and stoppage time respectively to complete the rout.
While qualification was already in the bag, East Bengal showed no signs of easing off, pressing relentlessly until the final whistle. The emphatic victory not only confirmed their quarter-final berth but also sent a strong message to potential opponents.
As for who they will face next, the Durand Cup organizing committee has yet to publish the knockout schedule. However as per a report by Bengali tabloid Ajkal, suggests that the Durand authorities have already informed both East Bengal and their arch-rivals Mohun Bagan, that they want to host the Kolkata Derby on August 17 at the Salt Lake Stadium, with the fixture being positioned as a high-profile quarter-final clash.
For years, the Durand has avoided scheduling the derby in the early phase of the knockouts. With the group stage now past and the derby will not be a group stage match, organizers face a decision: serve up the blockbuster in the last eight or hold it back for the semis – a risk they reportedly want to avoid.