East Bengal Advances to Durand Cup 2026 Final with Penalty Shootout Victory Over SC Delhi East Bengal secured a hard-fought 5-3 penalty shootout victory against Sporting Club Delhi (SC Delhi) in the Durand Cup 2026 semifinal at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, booking a place in the final. The match, which ended 0-0 after 90 minutes, saw East Bengal’s resilience and clinical finishing in the shootout clinch the crucial win. The result sets up a final showdown against either Mohun Bagan Super Giant or defending champions NorthEast United. The encounter began with both teams showcasing strong defensive organization. SC Delhi, led by goalkeeper Nora Fernandes, frustrated East Bengal’s attacking efforts for much of the game, managing to thwart the hosts’ forwards repeatedly. East Bengal, however, created several chances, with Rashid and Jesin denied by the frame of the goal on multiple occasions. SC Delhi’s own opportunities were limited, though Rodriguinho’s penalty in the first half was saved by Gill, a moment that proved pivotal in the eventual penalty shootout. The match entered extra time with neither side able to break the deadlock. SC Delhi’s efforts to hold out were commendable, but East Bengal’s determination and composure in the shootout proved decisive. The penalty sequence saw SC Delhi’s Pena miss his first spot-kick, while Rodriguinho scored his second attempt. Duvan and Aimen added to SC Delhi’s tally, but East Bengal’s Anwar Ali, Danu, Chungnunga, Ikonomidis, and Rashid sealed the win with clinical finishes. Rashid’s final penalty, a cool strike into the top left corner, sent the Red and Gold camp into celebration. Antonio Habas, East Bengal’s head coach, will be relieved but likely critical of his team’s finishing in the 90 minutes.#east_bengal #sporting_club_delhi #salt_lake_stadium #mohun_bagan_super_giant #durand_cup_2026
Kerala Blasters FC faces mounting pressure as the club prepares to part ways with head coach David Català following a dismal start to the 2025–26 Indian Super League season. The Kochi-based team has struggled to find form in its first six matches, accumulating just one point, scoring three goals, and conceding ten. A 1-3 loss to Punjab FC has intensified concerns about the team’s performance, prompting management to consider a managerial change. Sources suggest the club is nearing a decision to terminate Català’s contract, with formalities expected to be finalized within the next 48 hours. The international break is likely to provide a window for the club to reset and appoint a new coach. The poor results have also affected fan engagement, with home attendance dropping to an unprecedented low. This is a significant issue for a club historically supported by a passionate fanbase. Internally, there is growing worry that without a turnaround in results, the team could face relegation battles later in the season. Kerala Blasters currently sit 13th in the league table, having secured no wins, one draw, and five losses. Questions are also being raised about the effectiveness of their foreign signings, many of whom arrived without consistent recent game time and have failed to make an impact. The brief tenure of Oumar Bah, who was moved on within weeks of joining, has further highlighted recruitment concerns. The club’s instability at the managerial level is not new. Since 2020, Kerala Blasters have experienced frequent coaching changes, with head coaches coming and going in a revolving door. Former coaches include Eelco Schattorie, Kibu Vicuña, Ivan Vukomanović, Mikael Stahre, and interim managers like Ishfaq Ahmed and T.G. Purushothaman.#kerala_blasters_fc #punjab_fc #sporting_club_delhi #odisha_fc #david_catal
Sporting Club Delhi Faces Dual Challenges in 2025-26 ISL Season Sporting Club Delhi, the rebranded Indian Super League (ISL) club formerly known as Hyderabad FC, is navigating a complex season that demands both on-field performance and the establishment of a new identity tied to Delhi’s football culture. The club’s transition from Hyderabad FC to SC Delhi began in 2024 following financial difficulties that prompted a change in ownership. This rebranding marks the start of a new era for the team, which now operates as a Delhi-based entity in the northern capital. The club’s early campaign has been marked by struggles, with its first four matches yielding only a 2-2 draw against Mumbai City after three consecutive losses. This performance has left SC Delhi ranked 13th in the league standings, far from the competitive form needed to challenge for top positions. The team’s upcoming home fixture against second-placed Jamshedpur FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium presents a critical opportunity to reverse its fortunes. Coach Tomasz Tchorz emphasized that fan engagement is closely linked to on-field success, stating that a strong run of results would naturally draw supporters to the team. “Fans will start coming when results will be there. That sparks interest for fans to come and support the team because everyone wants to be a part of something successful,” Tchorz said. His comments highlight the club’s reliance on performance to build a loyal fan base in a city with a growing but still developing football culture. The rebranding process has also involved redefining the club’s connection to Delhi, a task that requires balancing its new identity with the legacy of its previous incarnation as Hyderabad FC.#jawaharlal_nehru_stadium #indian_super_league #sporting_club_delhi #hyderabad_fc #tomasz_tchorz
