East Bengal continued their dominant run in the IFA Shield with a convincing 2-0 victory over Namdhari FC in their final group-stage match at the Kishore Bharati Stadium in Kolkata on Tuesday. Goals from Mohammed Rashid and P.V. Vishnu sealed the win as the Red-and-Gold Brigade cruised into yet another final appearance in the historic tournament.
Needing only a draw to qualify, East Bengal showed no signs of playing it safe. Head coach Oscar Bruzon’s side began aggressively, pressing high and pushing forward from the start. Bipin Singh led the charge, making several dangerous runs into the attacking third and keeping the Namdhari defense under constant pressure.
The breakthrough came in the 19th minute after a clearance from Namdhari’s defense fell kindly for Mohammed Rashid. Without hesitation, the midfielder unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box that flew past goalkeeper Niraj Kumar, sending the East Bengal supporters into raptures.
The second goal arrived with style and precision in the second half, showcasing excellent coordination between two Indian players. David Lalhlansanga held up play cleverly as Bipin Singh drew three defenders towards him, creating space on the right. David then slipped a perfectly timed pass to P.V. Vishnu, who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom-right corner to double East Bengal’s lead.
The victory maintained East Bengal’s perfect record in this edition of the IFA Shield, with six different players finding the net so far — a testament to the team’s balanced attack. The result also secured the club’s 41st appearance in an IFA Shield final, reaffirming its status as the tournament’s most successful side. East Bengal has lifted the prestigious trophy 29 times, their last triumph coming in 2018 when they defeated arch-rival Mohun Bagan.
Their opponent for this year’s final, scheduled for October 18, will be decided after Wednesday’s Group B fixture between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and United Sports Club. The Mariners need only a draw to book their place, potentially setting up a mouth-watering Kolkata derby in the title clash.
With form, confidence, and history on their side, East Bengal will be eyeing their 30th IFA Shield crown, and perhaps another chapter in their storied rivalry with Mohun Bagan.
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