East Bengal FC: East Bengal FC confirmed the semi-final ticket by defeating the Indian Army (Indian Army FT) football team 1-0 in the quarter-finals of Durand Cup 2026. Red-yellow won after a tough fight in the match at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Sunday. Forward PV Vishnu scored the only goal.
Victory on Vishnu’s head
PV Vishnu put East Bengal ahead in the 37th minute of the match. He headed the ball into the net from Australian footballer Chris Economidis’ extended cross. Vishnu’s goal ultimately decided the fate of the match. Indian Army could not equalize despite multiple attempts.
One goal with 21 shots
East Bengal played attacking football in the match. A total of 21 shots were taken by Red-Yellow, but only one of them ended up being a goal. Several chances were created but the finishing was lacking. As a result, Antonio Habas’ team had to fight for victory until the end of the match.
Indian Army also had a chance
On the other hand, the Indian Army was not completely without opportunities. They took a total of 13 shots. But the East Bengal defense failed to get the ball into the net. As the match progressed, they increased the pressure. But in the end the Indian Army failed to break the red-yellow defense.
The opponents in the semi-finals are Sporting Club Delhi
This time in the semi-finals East Bengal is facing Sporting Club Delhi (SC Delhi). They practically blew away FC Rayongdai in the quarter finals. Sporting Club Delhi reached the last four by winning 5-1. As a result, a big challenge is waiting for East Bengal this time.
Durand dreams of winning after 22 years
East Bengal are the second most successful team in Durand Cup history. So far, Red-Yellow have won this traditional competition 16 times. But the last time they won the Durand Cup was in 2004. In other words, after 22 long years, the opportunity to win the trophy again has come in front of East Bengal.
Fight for the ticket to the final
Confident East Bengal beat the Indian Army to reach the semi-finals. But the match against Sporting Club Delhi will not be easy. On one side is the current ISL champion East Bengal, on the other side Sporting Club Delhi who came to the last four with a great victory. As a result, the fight to reach the final of Durand Cup 2026 will focus on this match.