Edmund Lalrindika Stars As East Bengal Romp To 2026 Durand Cup Title
by Devesh Jaganath | by Devesh Jaganath
East Bengal Secure Record-Equalling Durand Cup Title
East Bengal have moved level with Mohun Bagan Super Giant as the joint-most successful club in Durand Cup history, claiming their 17th title with a commanding 4-1 victory over their Kolkata rivals on Sunday, which confirmed our football predictions.
Bipin Singh opened the scoring at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in the 10th minute before Edmund Lalrindika doubled the Red and Gold Brigade’s advantage just two minutes later with a low effort from just outside the box.
Lalrindika netted his second of the evening after rounding Vishal Kaith and sticking the ball into an empty net, but Mohun Bagan managed to pull one back in the 33rd minute thanks to a stunning strike from Manvir Singh.
Unfortunately for the Mariners, their hopes of a swift comeback were ended just 10 minutes later when Lalrindika completed his hat-trick moments before half-time. The Red and Gold Brigade then stood firm in defence through the second half to secure the title.
For Antonio Habas, the victory was particularly significant as it was his first piece of silverware with East Bengal, having previously led Mohun Bagan to the ISL League Shield in the 2023-24 season.
India To Face Cape Verde in International Friendly
Indian football is heading into one of its busiest and most high-profile periods in years, with the national team potentially set to face four sides that featured at the 2026 World Cup within the space of just a few months.
After facing Brazil in a marquee encounter and travelling to New Zealand twice, Khalid Jamil’s side could round off their remarkable international schedule with a friendly against Cape Verde during the upcoming October break.
Cape Verde will arrive in India following a remarkable World Cup campaign in which they held eventual champions Spain to a goalless draw before taking finalists Argentina all the way to extra time. Kolkata or Kochi have been earmarked as the likely venue for the match.
The Blue Sharks’ trip to India will come after two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, with Humberto Bettencourt’s team set to face Mali away on September 23 and Rwanda at home four days later.
