East Bengal Thrash South United 5-0 in Durand Cup 2025 Opener.

East Bengal Thrash South United 5-0 in Durand Cup 2025 Opener.

EBFC 5-0 SUFC HIGHLIGHTS, Durand Cup 2025: Diamantakos, Bipin, Mahesh Produce Five-Star Win for East Bengal Against South United FC.

                    The 134th edition of the Durand Cup kicked off in spectacular fashion at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) in Kolkata on July 23, 2025, with East Bengal FC delivering a commanding 5-0 victory over debutants South United FC.

The Red and Gold Brigade, under the guidance of new head coach Oscar Bruzon, showcased their attacking prowess and squad depth, with goals from Lalchungnunga, Saul Crespo, Bipin Singh, Dimitrios Diamantakos, and Naorem Mahesh Singh sealing a dominant performance. This match report, enriched with ball-by-ball highlights, tactical insights, and key moments, captures the essence of East Bengal’s emphatic start to their Durand Cup 2025 campaign.

Match Overview

East Bengal, 16-time champions of Asia’s oldest football tournament, entered the Group A opener as heavy favorites against South United FC, a Bengaluru-based side making their Durand Cup debut. Despite assembling just three days prior under Bruzon, East Bengal displayed remarkable cohesion, dominating possession and creating numerous scoring opportunities. South United, coached by A. Kaja Mohindeen Bhadussa, adopted a defensive approach but struggled to contain East Bengal’s relentless attack, particularly in the second half, where three goals in the final 10 minutes underscored the gulf in quality between the two teams.

The match, attended by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and preceded by a vibrant opening ceremony featuring the Armed Forces, was a one-sided spectacle. East Bengal’s blend of experienced Indian internationals, new foreign signings, and young talent overwhelmed South United, setting a strong tone for their campaign to reclaim the Durand Cup, last won in 2004.

First Half: East Bengal Assert Dominance

Pre-Match Build-Up

· 17:25 IST: The Salt Lake Stadium buzzed with excitement as the Armed Forces conducted a colorful opening ceremony, setting the stage for the tournament’s curtain-raiser. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was in attendance, adding to the grandeur of the occasion.

· 17:33 IST: East Bengal, donning their traditional red and gold jerseys, lined up against South United, who sported an all-green kit. The starting XI for East Bengal included captain Naorem Mahesh Singh, defensive lynchpin Anwar Ali, and attackers PV Vishnu, Edmund Lalrindika, and David Lalhlansanga, with Debjit Majumder in goal. South United fielded a young squad led by captain S. Noel, with Makakmayum Daniyal as the lone forward.

· 17:34 IST: Kick-off at 5:30 PM IST marked the start of the 134th Durand Cup, with East Bengal immediately looking to impose their authority.

Key Moments

· 2’: East Bengal applied early pressure, with Mahesh Singh registering the first shot on target, saved by South United’s goalkeeper Nishanth N. The Bengaluru side showed courage by pressing high but left gaps in their defense.

· 4’: Edmund Lalrindika’s shot was blocked by a last-ditch tackle from South United’s captain S. Noel, highlighting the debutants’ defensive resolve.

· 7’: East Bengal aimed to exploit South United’s high press, with Mahesh and Edmund combining effectively down the flanks. South United struggled to maintain possession for more than 10-15 seconds.

· 10’: A moment of misfortune for East Bengal as Edmund inadvertently blocked teammate David Lalhlansanga’s goal-bound shot on the line, denying an early breakthrough.

· 12’ | GOAL! EBFC 1-0 SUFC: Lalchungnunga broke the deadlock with a stunning strike from the edge of the box. The left-back latched onto a clearance from Noel, striking the ball cleanly with his right foot to find the top left corner, leaving Nishanth with no chance. The goal, a screamer that bounced off the crossbar, ignited the Salt Lake Stadium.

· 14’: East Bengal earned a corner, with Mahesh’s delivery finding Edmund, who came close to doubling the lead but saw his effort saved by Nishanth.

· 16’: Nishanth pulled off a brilliant save to deny David Lalhlansanga, underlining his role as South United’s standout performer in the early stages.

· 20’: East Bengal’s dominance was evident as they pinned South United in their own box, with the Bengaluru side resorting to long balls that were easily dealt with by Anwar Ali and Lalchungnunga.

· 24’: South United mounted a rare attack, but their young winger Mustafa was outmuscled by Lalchungnunga, showcasing East Bengal’s defensive solidity.

· 27’: South United earned a free kick, but Talib Nazir’s attempt went straight to Debjit Majumder, who made a comfortable save.

· 30’: A drinks break allowed both teams to regroup in the hot and humid conditions. East Bengal’s technical superiority was clear, with South United struggling to string passes together.

· 35’: A golden opportunity went begging as Edmund’s pinpoint cross found Saul Crespo’s late run into the six-yard box, but the Spaniard’s header sailed over the bar.

· 37’ | PENALTY & GOAL! EBFC 2-0 SUFC: South United’s Abdul Salha Sheergojri caught Edmund Lalrindika with a late challenge in the box, prompting the referee to award a penalty. Birthday boy Saul Crespo stepped up and calmly slotted the ball home, doubling East Bengal’s lead. The goal marked Crespo’s third consecutive Durand Cup opener with a goal for the Kolkata club.

· 41’: South United’s long-ball strategy continued to falter, with East Bengal’s defense, led by Anwar Ali, remaining untroubled.

· 43’: East Bengal won another corner, but South United’s defense held firm.

· 45’+2’: Two minutes of stoppage time were added as East Bengal maintained their 2-0 lead.

· Half-Time | EBFC 2-0 SUFC: The referee blew for halftime, with East Bengal comfortably ahead thanks to goals from Lalchungnunga and Saul Crespo. South United’s goalkeeper Nishanth kept the scoreline respectable with several smart saves, but the debutants were outclassed.

Second Half: East Bengal’s Late Surge

Key Moments

· 46’: East Bengal picked up where they left off, attacking with intent. South United’s defensive shape held initially, but the pressure was relentless.

· 50’: South United faced an uphill task to salvage a point, with East Bengal controlling possession and creating chances at will.

· 54’: PV Vishnu went down holding his right ankle after a challenge, prompting concern. A corner for East Bengal followed, but the attack fizzled out.

· 58’ | SUBSTITUTION: Vishnu, unable to continue, was replaced by Dimitrios Diamantakos, adding fresh attacking impetus for East Bengal.

· 62’: South United defended with determination, frustrating East Bengal’s attempts to extend their lead. Nishanth remained a bright spark for the debutants.

· 66’: Edmund’s shot went straight to Nishanth, who continued to impress despite the mounting pressure.

· 69’: South United’s resilience kept East Bengal at bay, but the Kolkata side’s attacking quality was evident as they probed for a third goal.

· 72’ | SUBSTITUTIONS: Anwar Ali was replaced by Provat Lakra, and Edmund Lalrindika made way for new signing Bipin Singh, signaling Bruzon’s intent to freshen up the attack.

· 76’ | YELLOW CARD: Provat Lakra received a caution for a foul on South United’s attacker Milind.

· 78’: South United earned a rare set-piece opportunity but failed to capitalize, with the free kick sailing harmlessly out of play.

· 79’ | GOAL! EBFC 3-0 SUFC: Bipin Singh marked his East Bengal debut with a goal, latching onto a brilliant through ball from Diamantakos. Bipin found space between South United’s centre-back and right-back, finishing with a precise right-footed curl past Nishanth. The goal opened the floodgates for East Bengal’s late surge.

· 85’ | YELLOW CARD: South United’s Talib Nazir was booked for a wild swing that caught Mahesh Singh on the face. Fortunately, the East Bengal captain was unharmed.

· 86’ | GOAL! EBFC 4-0 SUFC: Dimitrios Diamantakos added his name to the scoresheet with a fierce free-kick strike from the edge of the box. Poor goalkeeping from Nishanth allowed the ball to trickle into the net, highlighting South United’s defensive frailties.

· 89’ | GOAL! EBFC 5-0 SUFC: Naorem Mahesh Singh capped a five-star performance with a stunning right-footed curler from outside the box, finding the top corner to make it 5-0. The goal, assisted by a Bipin Singh corner, was a fitting end to East Bengal’s dominant display.

· 90’+4’: Four minutes of stoppage time were added, but the result was beyond doubt as East Bengal cruised to victory.

· Full-Time | EBFC 5-0 SUFC: The referee blew the final whistle, confirming East Bengal’s 5-0 rout of South United FC. The Red and Gold Brigade’s clinical finishing and relentless attacking play secured a statement win in the Durand Cup 2025 opener.
Key Performances
East Bengal FC

· Lalchungnunga (Goal, 12’): The left-back’s stunning strike from distance set the tone for East Bengal’s dominance, showcasing his ability to contribute in attack.

· Saul Crespo (Goal, 37’): The Spanish playmaker, celebrating his birthday, was clinical from the penalty spot and dictated play in midfield, continuing his streak of scoring in Durand Cup openers.

· Bipin Singh (Goal, 79’): The new signing made an instant impact off the bench, scoring with a composed finish on his debut.

· Dimitrios Diamantakos (Goal, 86’): The Greek striker’s powerful free-kick added to East Bengal’s tally, capitalizing on a goalkeeping error.

· Naorem Mahesh Singh (Goal, 89’): The captain led by example, sealing the win with a breathtaking curler, showcasing his leadership and quality.

· Edmund Lalrindika: The young attacker was a constant threat, winning the penalty for Crespo’s goal and creating multiple chances.

· Anwar Ali: The defensive lynchpin ensured South United’s attacks were snuffed out, providing a solid foundation for East Bengal’s dominance.
South United FC

· Nishanth N (Goalkeeper): Despite conceding five goals, Nishanth made several smart saves, particularly in the first half, keeping South United in the game.

· S. Noel (Captain): The centre-back showed resilience with a crucial clearance but was exposed by East Bengal’s pace and movement.

· Abdul Salha Sheergojri: The defender’s late challenge led to the penalty, a turning point that handed East Bengal a comfortable lead.
Tactical Analysis
East Bengal FC

Under Oscar Bruzon, East Bengal deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Saul Crespo and Mohammed Rashid anchoring midfield, allowing attackers like Edmund, Vishnu, and David to exploit the flanks. Lalchungnunga’s overlapping runs from left-back added width, while Anwar Ali and Mohammed Rakip provided defensive stability.

The second-half substitutions of Bipin Singh and Diamantakos injected fresh energy, with their interplay proving decisive in the late goals. East Bengal’s high pressing and ability to exploit South United’s defensive errors were key to their dominance.

South United FC

South United opted for a 4-3-3 formation, focusing on a deep defensive block to absorb East Bengal’s pressure. However, their high press in the early stages left gaps, which East Bengal exploited. The Bengaluru side’s inexperience was evident, with inaccurate passing and a lack of attacking threat. Goalkeeper Nishanth’s heroics kept the scoreline respectable in the first half, but South United’s defensive shape crumbled in the final 10 minutes.

The Durand Cup 2025 opener marked East Bengal’s return to the tournament with high expectations, following their runners-up finish in 2023. The 5-0 victory over South United, a Bengaluru Super Division side with experience in I-League 2, highlighted the gap in quality between the established Kolkata giants and the debutants. East Bengal’s new signings, including Bipin Singh and Diamantakos, made immediate impacts, while the absence of foreign players Miguel Figueira and Kevin Sibille due to International Transfer Certificate issues did not hinder their performance.

South United, despite the heavy defeat, showed flashes of potential through Nishanth’s goalkeeping and their early pressing. However, their youthful squad struggled against East Bengal’s experience and depth, a learning curve for their first Durand Cup appearance.

This win gives East Bengal a strong start in Group A, boosting their confidence as they aim to end their 21-year Durand Cup title drought. For South United, the focus will be on regrouping for their remaining group-stage matches against tougher opponents.

Broadcast and Streaming

The match was broadcast live on Sony Sports Network (Sony Ten 2 and Sony Ten 2 HD) and streamed on SonyLIV, ensuring fans across India could witness the action. The vibrant coverage, coupled with the presence of dignitaries like Mamata Banerjee, added to the spectacle of the tournament opener.

East Bengal’s 5-0 thrashing of South United FC in the Durand Cup 2025 opener was a statement of intent from the Red and Gold Brigade. Lalchungnunga’s early screamer, Saul Crespo’s penalty, and the late flurry of goals from Bipin Singh, Dimitrios Diamantakos, and Naorem Mahesh Singh showcased their attacking depth and clinical finishing. Despite South United’s resilient defending in the first half, East Bengal’s relentless pressure and tactical superiority proved too much for the debutants.

Under Oscar Bruzon, East Bengal demonstrated their potential to be serious contenders for the Durand Cup title, blending youth, experience, and new signings effectively. For South United, the match was a valuable learning experience, with goalkeeper Nishanth emerging as a bright spot. As the Durand Cup 2025 progresses, East Bengal will look to build on this momentum, while South United will aim to bounce back in their upcoming fixtures. The Salt Lake Stadium, alive with passion and energy, set the stage for a thrilling tournament ahead.