Author: Webdesk

On the eve of East Bengal’s AFC Challenge League Quarter-Final first leg against Turkmenistan’s FK Arkadag, the press conference room at VYBK was buzzing with over 50 reporters—a rare sight outside of a Kolkata Derby. The packed room spoke volumes about the significance of this match. However, the reporters seemed a bit disheartened as they could barely extract any spicy quotes or crucial insights from Arkadag’s head coach, Dovletmyrat Annayev, and player, Altymyrat Annadurdyyev as both of them barely speak English. Their wait finally ended when Oscar Bruzon and Saul Crespo took their seats on the podium. The interaction between…

FK Arkadag, East Bengal’s upcoming opponents in the AFC Challenge League quarter-finals, landed in Kolkata when Bengaluru FC crushed the Red-and-Yellow Brigade’s hopes of a top-six finish in the ISL on Sunday. The Turkmenistan club arrived two days before the game to acclimatise to the humid conditions in the City of Joy. Considering the stark contrast in temperatures—their home country currently experiences daytime temperatures around 8°C, dropping to nearly 1°C at night- as per reports, FK Arkadag also conducted a 12-day training camp in Dubai to adapt to Kolkata’s weather conditions. After arriving on Sunday, they wasted no time, hitting…

East Bengal fought bravely until the final whistle, but a late penalty equaliser dashed their playoff hopes as Bengaluru FC secured a crucial draw in the Indian Super League. Despite their relentless efforts, Dimitrios Diamantakos’ red card before half-time proved costly for the home side. Twenty minutes before kick-off, Salt Lake Stadium was buzzing with anticipation. Fans in red and yellow were in numbers, clinging to faint hopes of their team making it to the playoffs. However, deep down, they knew the challenge was immense as East Bengal faced fourth-placed Bengaluru FC. Yet, East Bengal started in dominant fashion, defying…

The Bangladesh football team have begun preparations for their crucial AFC Asian Cup qualifier against India on March 25 in Shillong. While Indian head coach Manolo Márquez has yet to announce a probable squad for the fixture—ensuring that players remain focused during the closing stages of the ISL league phase—Bangladesh, under the guidance of Spanish head coach Javier Cabrera, have already named a 38-member squad and commenced training on Friday in Bangladesh. As part of their preparations, the Bengal Tigers will head to Saudi Arabia for a two-week training camp before returning to Bangladesh on March 18 to fine-tune their…

Mohun Bagan, fresh from defending the ISL Shield—the first club ever to achieve this feat—will take on Mumbai City FC in the first of their remaining two league stage games. However, head coach Jose Molina has no plans to sit back and relax, as he has clearly stated that his team will be aiming for a record points tally before heading into the playoffs. “We have some records in terms of victories and similar achievements. We can still improve and do better. I have spoken with my players, and we must keep going and give our best in the last…

East Bengal secured their first hattrick of wins in the ISL, defeating Hyderabad FC 2-0 in a thrilling encounter at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan. An own goal from Manoj Mohammad and a brilliant solo effort from Raphael Messi Bouli in stoppage time sealed the victory after an intense end-to-end battle. Coming off back-to-back wins against Punjab FC and Mohammedan SC, East Bengal couldn’t replicate their dominant performances from the last two matches. However, their persistence paid off, as two late goals kept their slim playoff hopes alive and provided a confidence boost ahead of their AFC Challenge League quarter-final clash…

Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) have etched their name into the history books, becoming the first club to successfully defend the ISL Shield. It has been one of the most remarkable seasons the club have ever witnessed, showcasing an exceptional level of consistency and dominance. What makes this achievement even more special is the collective effort of the entire squad, which played a crucial role in defending the prestigious ISL silverware. Whether it was the starters or the impact players coming off the bench, Jose Molina’s team was packed with match-winners who stepped up when it mattered most. While it…

With Mohun Bagan already having crossed the finishing line with aplomb, defending the Shield with two matches to spare and securing the highest points tally ever in the league, the remaining two weeks of the Indian Super League (ISL) group stage will now see attention shift to the intense playoff race. Alongside Mohun Bagan, FC Goa (42 points from 21 games) and Jamshedpur FC (37 points from 21 games) have also secured their places in the playoffs. However, there are still three spots up for grabs. Bengaluru FC (4th with 34 points from 21 games), North East United FC (32…

Rahul Giri in Kolkata A packed Yuba Bharati Krirangan welcomed Mohun Bagan Super Giants onto the pitch against Odisha FC, hoping to witness history. And the home side didn’t disappoint, securing the Indian Super League shield in the most dramatic fashion. They won 1-0 right at the end. Dimitri Petratos struck the winner in additional time, sending the raucous crowd into ecstasy. With this victory, Mohun Bagan sealed the shield with two matches to spare, achieving an unprecedented feat — winning it back-to-back, something no team had ever done before. In the opening quarter, neither team posed much threat inside…

Mohun Bagan Super Giant are just one step away from securing back-to-back ISL League Shields. If they manage to defeat Odisha FC at the Salt Lake Stadium on Sunday, they will establish an unassailable lead at the top of the ISL points table and claim their second consecutive league shield—an unprecedented feat in ISL history. Compared to last season, the Mariners have been more consistent and dominant, displaying a ruthless streak throughout the campaign, barring two defeats against Bengaluru FC and FC Goa. Currently leading the table with 49 points from 21 games, Mohun Bagan enjoy a commanding 10-point advantage…