East Bengal FC faced a distressing defeat at home tonight in the Indian Super League 2024-25 as the visitors Mumbai City FC snatched a 3-2 victory following an exhilarating ninety minutes of football. 

FT: EBFC 2⃣-3⃣ MCFC

A 𝗕𝗜𝗚 𝗪 in Kolkata 🤩🩵#EBFCMCFC #ISL #AamchiCity 🔵 pic.twitter.com/cro6OpiJTx

— Mumbai City FC (@MumbaiCityFC) January 6, 2025

Mumbai captain Chhangte opened the scoring as Nikos Karelis extended the lead, but East Bengal pulled off two goals to level the scoreline. However, a bad defensive error led to a second goal from Karelis that ensured all three points for the Islanders. 

Dominating first-half display from Mumbai City FC

Vikram Pratap Singh started to test East Bengal defenders from the very first minute; being caught offside three times in just six minutes into the game. The Mumbai forward also attempted for a goal in the third minute, but his header from the box soared over the crossbar.

In the 27th minute, Bipin Singh found himself open in front of the goal, but East Bengal's Spanish defender Hector Yuste made a commendable goal-line block to deny Bipin's header. The Islanders produced a wave of scoring opportunities but they had to wait until the 39th minute to find the opening goal. 

Mumbai's midfield general Brandon Fernandes extended a defence-splitting through pass to perfectly find captain Lallianzuala Chhangte running toward the goal, who calmly finished the job with a right-footed strike from the left that rolled inside through the left-bottom corner.

The visiting side quickly found another goal in the 43rd minute. Nikos Karelis followed a ball from Yoell Van Nieff as he made a great anticipation inside the box before unleashing a grounded strike. East Bengal keeper Prabhsukhan Gill stopped the strike, but the second ball was easily fired inside by Karelis.

East Bengal skipper Cleiton Silva attempted a volleyed strike in the second minute of the added time but it remained unfruitful as Rehenesh had no trouble in stopping the poor strike.

#TheIslanders lead the first half with a 2 goal cushion 😌

Watch #EBFCMCFC, LIVE on #JioCinema, #StarSports3, and #Sports18-3! 👈#ISLonJioCinema #ISLonSports18 #JioCinemaSports #LetsFootball pic.twitter.com/mcKsGlTDwL

— JioCinema (@JioCinema) January 6, 2025

East Bengal pulled off two goals to turn the game around

The second-half unfolded even more dramatic instances that led the game to a thrilling finish. Naorem Mahesh Singh and Nishu Kumar came off the bench for East Bengal to empower their attacking opportunities to salvage their opening goal. 

Prabhsukhan Gill made another well-executed stop in the 56th minute to deny Karelis' strike in an open 1 vs 1 situation. However, Diamantakos and co. had a couple of chances to convert but they failed to do so until the 66th minute. 

Naorem Mahesh attempted a strike on target from inside the box which was quickly denied by Rehenesh, but the second ball brought strange consequences. The rebound was anticipated by PV Vishnu before Sahil Panwar tackled Diamantakos to deny him an attempt. However, Vishnu delivered a grounded strike inside the box, and Sahil slotted the ball into his own side's net.

Sahil Panwar scores... but in the wrong net 😢

Watch #EBFCMCFC, LIVE on #JioCinema, #StarSports3, and #Sports18-3! 👈#ISLonJioCinema #ISLonSports18 #JioCinemaSports #LetsFootball pic.twitter.com/sWkWJTHsT0

— JioCinema (@JioCinema) January 6, 2025

After getting the breakthrough in an uncanny manner, East Bengal elevated their firepower in search of the equalizer. The coveted second goal came in the 83rd minute for East Bengal as David Lalhlansanga netted the ball home with a lofted left-footed finesse from inside the box.

A goal sealed with finesse! ✨

Watch #EBFCMCFC, LIVE on #JioCinema, #StarSports3, and #Sports18-3! 👈#ISLonJioCinema #ISLonSports18 #JioCinemaSports #LetsFootball pic.twitter.com/HIpoCoR7zp

— JioCinema (@JioCinema) January 6, 2025

A defensive error costed East Bengal the game 

A disastrous defensive error took the points from East Bengal. In the 87th minute, Hijazi Maher failed to intercept a ball in front of the box and it ended up in a running Karelis' feet. The Greek striker powerfully chipped the ball out of Gill's reach to finish the job for the Islanders.

Mumbai cha hero Karelis 🔥

Keep watching #ISL, LIVE on #JioCinema, #StarSports3, and #Sports18-3! 👈#ISLonJioCinema #ISLonSports18 #JioCinemaSports #LetsFootball pic.twitter.com/Fr3btUxVbB

— JioCinema (@JioCinema) January 6, 2025

East Bengal managed some chances in the injury time as well, but Mumbai's defence stayed alert to scrap the dangers, as East Bengal fell to the eighth defeat this season. 

Mumbai City FC has climbed to the fifth position of the league table with 23 points earned in 14 matches so far. On the contrary, East Bengal has dropped to the 11th position, having garnered 14 points in 14 matches. 

Head coach Manolo Márquez announces 28-member Blue Tigers travelling squad for Thailand friendly on May 28, 2025. All the 28 players, who are currently a part of the ongoing camp in Kolkata, will travel to Thailand for the FIFA friendly for the June 4 fixture.

With a crucial AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Final Round on the horizon, the Indian Men's National Football Team is gearing up for a significant test. The squad will leave for Thailand on Wednesday evening for their friendly on June 4, at the Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani at 18:00 IST.

Subsequently, the team will depart for Hong Kong on the next day (June 5) for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Final Round fixture.

Kolkata: The Blue Tigers' pre-Thailand training hub

The Blue Tigers' intensive training camp kicked off in Kolkata on May 19. The men in Blue underwent six full days of structured training and gym sessions. These were focused on refining patterns, defensive organisation, attacking transitions, and all other crucial elements for the gameplay.

A highlight of the camp was the inclusion of two practice matches:

• On May 26, the Blue Tigers faced Santosh Trophy Champions Bengal, securing a 2-1 victory. (goal scorers: Brandon Fernandes and Ashique Kuruniyan)
• On May 27, they faced North 24 Parganas, securing a 3-0 victory. (goal scorers: Sunil Chhetri, Chinglensana Singh Konsham and Udanta Singh Kumam)

Blue Tigers’ 28-member squad for the FIFA Friendly against Thailand

Goalkeepers: Hrithik Tiwari, Vishal Kaith, Gurmeet Singh, Amrinder Singh.

Defenders: Naorem Roshan Singh, Rahul Bheke, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Anwar Ali, Boris Singh Thangjam, Sandesh Jhingan, Asish Rai, Subhasish Bose, Mehtab Singh, Abhishek Singh Tekcham.

Midfielders: Suresh Singh Wangjam, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Ayush Dev Chhetri, Udanta Singh Kumam, Lalengmawia Ralte, Liston Colaco, Ashique Kuruniyan, Brandon Fernandes, Nikhil Prabhu.

Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Edmund Lalrindika, Manvir Singh, Suhail Ahmad Bhat, Lallianzuala Chhangte.

Head Coach: Manolo Márquez

Assistant Coach: Mahesh Gawali

Assistant Coach: Benito Montalvo

Goalkeeper Coach: Marc Gamon

Strength and Conditioning Coach: José Carlos Barroso

In a groundbreaking moment for Indian football, Rahul KP, the dynamic winger of Odisha FC, has been extended a prestigious invitation to represent English Premier League powerhouse West Ham United in the highly anticipated summer edition of The Soccer Tournament (TST), an elite 7 v 7 football competition featuring 48 teams from across the globe.

This is the first time in Indian football history that an Indian player will represent a top-division English Premier League club men’s team. This is a monumental achievement not only for Rahul's burgeoning career and Odisha FC but also for the continued growth and recognition of the state of Odisha and Indian football on the international stage.

The tournament is scheduled to take place from June 4 to June 9, 2025, in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. The tournament boasts a diverse international roster, with participating teams and players hailing from countries including the United Kingdom, Spain, Switzerland, Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria, and India. The star-studded event will notably feature teams led by legendary footballers such as Luis Nani, Sergio Agüero, and Hope Solo.

Rahul KP will join a distinguished West Ham United squad that includes notable personalities like actor Hero Fiennes Tiffin, former Argentina international Mauro Zárate, and several professional athletes who have represented the United States in the World Indoor Football Cup.

The three group stage games featuring West Ham United will be broadcast live on YouTube channels. Additionally, these matches will be televised live on ESPN.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) celebrated the best of Indian football at the AIFF Awards 2025, held today in Bhubaneswar, honouring outstanding players, coaches, referees, and member associations for their contributions during the 2024-25 season.

The ceremony highlighted the growing competitiveness of Indian football, with Mohun Bagan SG’s Subhasish Bose and East Bengal FC’s Soumya Guguloth crowned Men’s and Women’s Player of the Year, respectively. 

AIFF Awards 2025 Winners

Individual Awards

• Men's Player of the Year: Subhasish Bose (Mohun Bagan SG, Defender)
  • Recognised for his leadership as captain and stellar performances for Mohun Bagan SG as the mariners became the first team to defend the ISL Shield, along with reclaiming the ISL Cup. Bose kept 13 clean sheets as a defender and scored 6 goals as well. 
• Women's Player of the Year: Soumya Guguloth (East Bengal FC, Forward)
  • Honoured as the top Indian scorer in the Indian Women’s League (IWL) and a key player for the Blue Tigresses. She helped East Bengal FC win the IWL 2024-25 title.
• Men's Goalkeeper of the Year: Vishal Kaith (Mohun Bagan SG)
  • Awarded for holding the record for the most clean sheets in Indian Super League (ISL) history. Kaith had a record 15 clean sheets in ISL 2024-25 and conceded only 19 goals across 26 appearances
• Most Promising Men's Player of the Year: Brison Fernandes (Midfielder)
  • Noted for his midfield mastery and potential as a rising star.
• Most Promising Women's Player of the Year: Neha (Haryana, Winger)
  • Recognised for her performances, including 2 goals in the SAFF U19 Women’s Championship and 3 goals in the Senior Women’s National Championship.
• Men's Coach of the Year: Khalid Jamil (Jamshedpur FC)
  • Won for the second consecutive year for leading Jamshedpur FC to the Kalinga Super Cup semifinals.
• Women's Coach of the Year: Sujata Kar (Sreebhumi FC)
  • Awarded for guiding newly-promoted Sreebhumi FC to a third-place finish in the IWL.
• Male Referee of the Year: Venkatesh R
  • Acknowledged for consistent officiating on the pitch.
• Female Referee of the Year: Tekcham Ranjita Devi
  • Recognised for her officiating excellence.
• Male Referee of the Year: Venkatesh R
• Male Assistant Referee of the Year: Vairamuthu P

Member Association (MA) Awards

• Most Successful MA (Club Competitions): Indian Football Association (West Bengal)
  • For dominance in men’s competitions, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal winning major titles.
• Most Successful MA (NFC Competitions): All Manipur Football Association
  • Recognised for success in the National Football Championships.
• Best MA for Supporting Women’s Football: Punjab Football Association
  • Honoured for contributions to women’s football development.
• Best MA for Hosting Most AIFF Competitions: Football Association of Odisha and Goa Football Association
  • For hosting numerous AIFF events.
• MA with Most Player Registrations (Men’s): Kerala Football Association
  • For the highest number of male player registrations.
• MA with Most Player Registrations (Women’s): Western India Football Association (Maharashtra)
  • For leading in female player registrations.
• Special Award for MA Launching New Projects: Gujarat State Football Association
  • For innovative football initiatives.
• MA with Most Grassroots Activities: Gujarat State Football Association
  • For extensive grassroots programs.
• MA with Most Youth Tournaments Conducted: Karnataka State Football Association
  • For organising numerous youth tournaments.
• MA with Most Coaching Courses: Punjab Football Association
  • For conducting the most coaching courses.
• MA with Most Refereeing Courses: Gujarat State Football Association
  • For leading in referee training programs.

Whether with Bhowanipur Club or East Bengal, Sandipan Das has consistently helped his teams win trophies. After achieving numerous victories, including a treble last year with Bhowanipur, the former ICC U-19 World Cup winner is now on the brink of delivering East Bengal's first league trophy in a decade.

Following his man-of-the-match performance in the semi-final against arch-rivals Mohun Bagan, Sandipan Das shared his thoughts in an exclusive interview with Sportz Point. 

"The winning mentally is there since childhood"

For Sandipan, playing in the final of a championship or winning it is not new; he has been securing trophies since his U-13 days. The Bengal all-rounder attributes his winning mentality to his childhood coach, Debesh Chakraborty, who instilled this mindset in him from an early age.

“I have been winning trophies since childhood. Whether it was the Ambar Roy tournament in U-13s or any other competition, I've always been part of champion teams. Thanks to Debesh Sir, who took me to play in those tournaments, the winning mentality has stayed with me throughout my career,” Sandipan Das told Sportz Point.

Read Also | Bengal Ranji Team in Last Three Seasons: 13 opening combinations, 22 debutants and many more numbers

"If 100 is not enough, I need to score 150"

After contributing to India's victory in the ICC U-19 World Cup under Unmukt Chand in 2012, Sandipan was fast-tracked into the Bengal team. Just a month after the World Cup, he made his List A debut, followed by his First-Class and T20 debuts.

However, despite showing promise, he struggled to make a significant impact for Bengal and has not played a single game since January 2015. Although he has excelled in the club format and helped his teams win titles nearly every season, Sandipan found himself out of the state team.

"It has been a long time since I played for Bengal. But I do not want to blame anyone for that. I believe I should score 150 if 100 is not enough. That has been my motive. I want to improve every day as a cricketer and leave the rest to God," Sandipan expressed.

"This attitude has also helped me win for my teams. If I think 100 is enough, I might become complacent and get out. Or if I feel that taking just two wickets suffices, I might bowl a loose over. There is no room for complacency in cricket," he added.

A perfect example of this mindset occurred during Sandipan's innings for East Bengal against Mohun Bagan in the C.A.B. First Division Championship semi-final. The match was evenly poised after the first day, and one mistake from Sandipan could have tipped the scales in favor of Mohun Bagan.

At the start of Day 2, Sandipan believed they could reach 450 runs. However, after losing partners, he decided to focus on taking the game deep, even if it meant not scoring a century. Eventually, East Bengal finished with 408 runs, and Sandipan remained unbeaten on 108.

Read Also | Batting, bowling & captaincy - Sandipan Das is ready for a rebirth at the first-class level | Bengal Cricket Exclusive

Monayem+Sandipan = Success in Kolkata Club Cricket

Such patience and attitude of Sandipan did not develop overnight; they are the result of years of practice, dedication, and guidance from his coaches. In addition to his childhood coach, Abdul Monayem has been a constant support for Sandipan for over a decade.

Monayem is one of the most successful coaches in Kolkata club cricket, who led Bhowanipur Club to three league titles in recent years. Sandipan thrived under Monayem’s guidance, which not only helped him grow as a cricketer but also as a captain of the team.

Currently the coach of East Bengal, Monayem brought Sandipan to join the team this year, aiming for more trophies together. The success in the P. Sen Trophy and reaching the league final after nearly a decade is a testament to their strong camaraderie.

"He (Abdul Monayem) is like a mentor to me. I have been playing under him for more than ten years now. He knows me very well, and I understand his expectations. Sometimes he is like a big brother; other times, he is a friend with a supportive hand on my shoulder. This relationship has allowed him to bring out the best in the players," Sandipan shared.

"Players like Abhishek Das, Agniv Pan, and many others have been together for many years now. This group, under Abdul (Monayem) Sir, has consistently achieved great things because he understands each player, and as a team, we strive to do our best," Sandipan added.

Read Also | Bengal Cricket Exclusive: "We all know this game can make us heroes to the fans," East Bengal's Satyaki Dutta ahead of Kolkata Derby

"I enjoy being around the young kids"

In addition to being one of the top batting all-rounders in Bengal, Sandipan runs a coaching center. This initiative allows him to switch his focus from his own cricketing career and share his knowledge with the next generation.

"I believe this brings out a different side of me. Working with kids and teaching them the basics of cricket is something I love. I truly enjoy being with them," Sandipan stated.

"During my childhood, I did not have access to many facilities here in Jagaddal, so I try to give them as much as I can and share my knowledge," he concluded.

Shreyan Chakraborty has been one of the most underrated players in Bengal cricket in the last few seasons. The left-arm spinner has silently performed well for East Bengal in the last two seasons and bailed out the Red and Gold brigade from tough situations with bat and ball in hand. 

After helping East Bengal qualify for the C.A.B. First Division Championship final after nearly 10 years, with his 67/4 and 30 (64), Shreyan shared his thoughts with Sportz Point in an exclusive interview. 

Underated? Does it even matter?

I have already called him underrated at the start of this interview. But does he believe he is underrated? If yes, does he enjoy that tag? 

Well, for Shreyan, it is all about getting the job done. Be it taking the main wicket of the opponent's batting lineup, scoring crucial 40-50 runs or more with the bat in the lower order when the chips are down, or breaking an important partnership, like he did in the Kolkata derby against Mohun Bagan, Shreyan just wants to help East Bengal win. 

But, he knows that at this age of modern cricket, even with the kind of performances he has delivered in the last two seasons, it is time that he breaks the underrated tag.

"Firstly, when you just want to do well for your team, it does not matter whether you are underrated or not. But, yes, when you perform and give your best day in and day out for your team, you obviously love it when people appreciate you and love you. It boosts you as an athlete," Shreyan told Sportz Point. 

Read Also | Women's Cricket Exclusive: Age 14, 5 feet 8 inches tall, bowls left-arm wrist spin; Debjani Das is all set to be Bengal's next cricketing superstar

"I have matured now as a cricketer"

Shreyan last played for Bengal in his debut season in 2020, and later, he got COVID, which ruled him out of the team. Since then, he has not been able to break the doors of Bengal cricket even with great performances. That is why Shreyan feels that if he had the limelight on him, it might have been easier for him to get that call back to Bengal cricket again. 

"When you have the limelight on you, you get closer to the Bengal team. That is why you perform and give your 200% each day. Everyone wants to play at the highest level and do well there," Shreyan shared.

Shreyan feels he was fortunate enough to represent Bengal at the first-class level in 2020. But he feels that he did not do justice to his talent at that time in the red ball format. However, with age, more games and, most importantly, trophies, Shryean feels he is at his best in terms of maturity and skill to represent Bengal again. 

That is why he calls out to Cricket to give him another chance to play at the highest level. 

"I am fortunate that I got the chance to don that Bengal jersey in 2020. But, be it white ball or red ball, I feel I have matured now as a cricketer and at my best shape to represent Bengal again. I still hope that the team management is looking at my performances and will give me another chance to play for the state," Shreyan expressed.

Read Also | Bengal Cricket: 7 U-19 cricketers from Bengal who can play for India in future

"It is all about winning games for your teams"

Even though he has this constant thought of playing for Bengal again, whenever he plays for big clubs like East Bengal, the goal is entirely different for him. According to Shreyan, these big clubs want and expect trophies. To win trophies, you need to win the big moments and do well in pressure situations. That is what he focuses on during his training and match days. 

"When you play for big clubs like East Bengal, there is no chance you think about something other than helping the team to win. That's it. The focus remains on winning big moments, doing well in pressure situations. I think it is the same for everyone in the team," Shreyan stated. 

But, how does he prepare himself for those big situations? For him, it is all about keeping it simple, following the process and being aggressive, without being aggressive.

"Firstly, you need to love being in a pressure situation. I love that. I love being there and taking the team over the line. Be it with ball, bat or fielding. I just try to follow a simple process and mentally be aggressive against any opponent," the 28-year-old left-arm spinner mentioned.

Read Also | Bengal Ranji Team in Last Three Seasons: 13 opening combinations, 22 debutants and many more numbers

Adding more value with the bat"

With the ball in hand, Shreyan has been one of Bengal's best in business. But, post 2020, he felt he needed to add more value to the team, and that is why he made a conscious effort to work on his batting and those valuable runs down the order. Throughout the entire season, Shreyan has bailed out East Bengal from tough situations, batting at the lower middle order. 

"I know that I am one of the best in business in the state in terms of bowling left-arm spin or contributing on the field. But, I wanted to have another aspect to my game so that teams could not leave me out due to team combinations."

"That is why I made a conscious effort to work on my batting in the off-season, and it has worked like magic for me. I hope to keep contributing with the bat like I have been doing in recent times." 

On the verge of a great victory

Shreyan and the whole East Bengal team are now on the verge of gifting the fans something that they have not tasted in the last 10 years, a league championship trophy in cricket. But, they will be up against the defending champions, Bhowanipur Club, who have been the best team in Bengal in the last few seasons. 

"The good thing is that we have already tasted success in the P.Sen Trophy. And we have a team that can win from any situation against any team. Bhowanipur is a strong team. How they defeated Kalighat is quite commanding."

"I know it will be a great final against them. I am hopeful that we will be able to gift the fans the trophy they have been waiting for a long time now," Shreyan stated.