East Bengal FC vs Kerala Blasters FC: All-Time Head-to-Head Record East Bengal FC and Kerala Blasters FC are set to clash in their fifth Indian Super League (ISL) encounter at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) Stadium in Kolkata. The match, scheduled for Saturday at 5 PM IST, marks a crucial moment in the 2025-26 season for both teams. East Bengal, currently sitting in fifth place with seven points from four matches, will look to build on their recent draw against FC Goa. Meanwhile, Kerala Blasters, still winless in the league with a negative goal difference, aim to secure their first three points of the campaign. The rivalry between the two clubs has been a highlight of the ISL since East Bengal’s entry into the league in 2020. Historically, Kerala Blasters hold a slight edge in the all-time head-to-head record. As of the latest data, the Blasters have secured five wins against East Bengal, while the Kolkata side has managed three victories. In the context of the ISL, Kerala leads 3-2 in head-to-head matches since the league’s inception. The two teams first faced each other in the 2020-21 season, ending in a 1-1 draw. Nishu Kumar’s own goal for East Bengal was canceled out by Jeakson Singh’s stoppage-time equalizer for Kerala. Since then, the fixtures have been competitive, with Kerala emerging as the more consistent performer. In the 2021-22 season, Kerala claimed their first win against East Bengal with a 1-0 result, while the other match ended in a 1-1 draw. Post-COVID, the balance shifted slightly in East Bengal’s favor. The Kolkata side secured two wins against Kerala, including a 2-1 victory at the VYBK Stadium in the 2024–25 season. However, Kerala responded with a 2-1 away win, ending East Bengal’s four-game winless streak in that season.#indian_super_league #kerala_blasters_fc #vivekananda_yuba_bharati_krirangan #east_bengal_fc #ifa_shield_2025
East Bengal and Kerala Blasters Draw 1-1 in ISL 2025-26 Clash East Bengal and Kerala Blasters played out a 1-1 draw in their ISL 2025-26 encounter at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. The match, which saw a late equalizer from Kerala Blasters’ Ajsal, ended in a stalemate after a tightly contested 90-minute battle. The result marked Kerala Blasters’ first point of the season, while East Bengal remained winless in their opening two matches. The first half saw East Bengal take an early lead through a penalty converted by Ezzejjari. The Spaniard capitalized on a foul by Aiban inside the penalty area, sending the ball past Kerala Blasters’ goalkeeper Gill. However, Kerala Blasters remained persistent, creating several chances but failing to break the deadlock. Fallou and Rashid both came close in stoppage time, but their efforts were thwarted by solid defending from East Bengal. The second half was a rollercoaster of chances and near-misses. Kerala Blasters, determined to equalize, pressed heavily and created numerous opportunities. East Bengal’s defense, however, struggled to cope with the intensity, leading to a crucial error in the 90+2’ minute. Ajsal capitalized on loose defending from the Red and Gold side, heading in a corner to level the score. The equalizer came after a set-piece routine, with Ajsal finding the back of the net to secure the draw. Throughout the match, substitutions played a role in shaping the flow. East Bengal made several changes, including bringing on Mahesh, Jay, and Souvik, while Kerala Blasters introduced Quintongo and Saheef. Despite the efforts, neither team could find a decisive breakthrough.#kerala_blasters #east_bengal #isl_2025_26 #vivekananda_yuba_bharati_krirangan #ajsal
FC Goa Clinches Record Third AIFF Super Cup FC Goa secured their third AIFF Super Cup title after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over East Bengal FC in the final of the 2025-26 tournament. The match, held at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata, ended 0-0 after extra time, with FC Goa winning 5-6 on penalties. The result extended their unbeaten streak and marked their first major trophy since joining the Indian Super League. The final saw both teams battle fiercely, with East Bengal aiming to bounce back from a 1-2 home defeat against Jamshedpur FC earlier in the season. FC Goa, meanwhile, sought to maintain their unbeaten run, having previously defeated Sporting Club Delhi 1-0 in their last league match. The Gaurs’ victory in the shootout was celebrated as a testament to their resilience and depth, particularly with key players like Dejan Dražić contributing crucial moments in the campaign. East Bengal head coach Óscar Bruzón emphasized the team’s focus on winning rather than drawing, stating, “Our philosophy is to play to win, not to draw. That sometimes means taking defensive risks. We will analyse and adjust, especially against a team like FC Goa who compete for possession.” Despite their efforts, East Bengal fell short in the final, though they remain fifth in the league table with six points from three matches. FC Goa, currently third in the standings with seven points, faced challenges throughout the season due to injuries to players like Saúl Crespo, Kevin Sibille, Mohammed Rakip, and Naorem Mahesh Singh. Head coach Manolo Márquez highlighted the importance of managing young talent, saying, “It’s very important to push players mentally and give opportunities, especially to young players.#vivekananda_yuba_bharati_krirangan #east_bengal_fc #aiiff_super_cup #fc_goa #manolo_marquez
