East Bengal Edge Indian Army to Reach Durand Cup 2026 Semifinals

East Bengal FC booked their place in the semifinals of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup after edging past a spirited Indian Army Football Team 1-0 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Sunday. 

P.V. Vishnu's 38th-minute header proved decisive in a quarterfinal that East Bengal largely controlled but failed to put beyond doubt despite creating several opportunities.

The result extended East Bengal's run in the competition and kept their Durand Cup campaign firmly on track. The Indian Army, meanwhile, can take plenty of credit for the way they responded after a difficult first half, pushing East Bengal during the closing stages and coming close to forcing a dramatic equaliser.

East Bengal entered the quarterfinal with an attacking 4-2-3-1 formation, with Dani Ramirez, Christopher Ikonomidis and P.V. Vishnu operating behind David Lalhlansanga. Indian Army adopted a more cautious 5-3-2, clearly looking to absorb East Bengal's attacking pressure and threaten on the counter.

The opening exchanges belonged almost entirely to East Bengal. The Kolkata side dominated possession and repeatedly pinned the Indian Army inside its own half. The first significant chance arrived in the sixth minute following a flowing passing move, but Ramirez could not complete the opportunity.

The Spanish playmaker remained at the heart of East Bengal's attacking play and came close again in the 12th minute. His left-footed, in-swinging free-kick beat the goalkeeper but narrowly missed the target.

East Bengal continued to build pressure as the Indian Army struggled to establish meaningful possession. In the 20th minute, Ramirez released Lalhlansanga with a precise pass, but the forward could not apply the finishing touch. Moments later, defender Lalchungnunga advanced into an attacking position and unleashed a powerful long-range attempt that forced an excellent save from Bhabindra Malla Thakuri.

East Bengal's sustained pressure finally produced the breakthrough in the 38th minute. Jay Gupta had earlier delivered a pinpoint cross for Vishnu, who was unable to convert his one-on-one opportunity. The forward would not make the same mistake when the next chance arrived.

Christopher Ikonomidis sent an inviting delivery into the penalty area, and Vishnu rose above the defence to meet it with a perfectly timed header. His effort flew towards the right corner. Thakuri managed to get his fingertips to the ball but could not prevent it from entering the net.

The goal gave East Bengal a deserved advantage after a dominant first-half display. The Red-and-Gold Brigade continued to control possession before the break, although Mohamad Basim Rashid's long-range attempt drifted wide.

Army show greater intent after the break.

The Indian Army emerged from half-time with a noticeably more aggressive approach. The Army side earned an early corner, although East Bengal's defence dealt with the danger comfortably. Rashid then tried his luck from distance, but his effort sailed over the crossbar.

East Bengal continued to threaten on the counter and came extremely close to doubling their lead around the hour mark. Substitute Jesin TK intercepted a long ball from Rashid and raced beyond the advancing goalkeeper. With the goal at his mercy, however, his effort struck the crossbar.

It was a major opportunity for East Bengal to effectively settle the contest. Instead, the Indian Army remained alive. Substitute Abhi S. Biju soon produced one of the Army's best opportunities, unleashing a powerful low effort that flashed narrowly wide of the target. East Bengal responded when Edmund Lalrindika found Ramirez inside the box in the 67th minute, but the Spaniard's attempt went narrowly over.

The final stages became increasingly frustrating for East Bengal as they repeatedly found openings but could not add a second goal. In the 80th minute, Bipin Singh played Jesin TK into a promising position, but the substitute failed to convert from close range. Moments later, Jesin returned the favour by setting up Bipin for another one-on-one opportunity. The winger, however, also failed to find the finish.

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Jesin had another chance in the 87th minute when he met an Edmund cross, but his header went straight at Thakuri. Those missed chances left the door open for Indian Army. With five minutes of stoppage time added, the Army side produced a late scare. In the 91st minute, Abhishek Shankar Pawar unleashed a dangerous effort that briefly threatened to change the outcome.

East Bengal survived.

East Bengal advance despite narrow scoreline

The final whistle confirmed a 1-0 victory for East Bengal, although the scoreline did not fully reflect their dominance. East Bengal enjoyed around 80 per cent possession and created numerous opportunities throughout the match. Their biggest concern will be their inability to convert those chances into goals.

For the Indian Army, the defeat marked the end of a campaign in which they had shown consistency and defensive discipline, particularly during the group stage. Their second-half performance demonstrated that they were capable of making East Bengal uncomfortable, but the early deficit proved too difficult to overturn.

For East Bengal, attention now turns to the semifinal. The Kolkata club will carry confidence from another knockout victory, but coach Antonio López Habas will also know that his side must be more clinical if it is to go all the way in the 135th Durand Cup.

The tournament continues on August 17 with two more quarterfinals. Mohun Bagan Super Giant face Jamshedpur FC at 4 PM in Kolkata, while Shillong Lajong FC take on NorthEast United FC at 7 PM in Shillong.

East Bengal, meanwhile, can celebrate a hard-earned semifinal place secured by Vishnu's decisive header and sustained by a largely dominant performance.