East Bengal vs Sreenidi Deccan, Durand Cup 2025, AS IT HAPPENED: East Bengal FC kicked off their IFA Shield 2025 campaign in style with a 4-0 win over Sreenidi Deccan at the Kalyani Stadium.
Jay Gupta and Martand Raina scored in the first half, while Hamid Ahadad and Jeakson Singh added two more after the break. Bipin Singh shone with two assists as East Bengal dominated from start to finish. A commanding all-round performance saw the Red and Gold begin their title quest on a perfect note.

That's it! It's full-time here at Kalyani! East Bengal kick-off their IFA Shield 2025 campagin with a resounding 4-0 victory.
5 minutes have been added on for stoppages! Can East Bengal round off a five-star performance with a 5th goal?
We have gone past the 80th Min and Sreenidi have been quite solid post the 50th min mark and kept EB out of bay.
Substitution: Hamid Ahada and Bipin Singh go off and Edmund and David come on for East Bengal.
Substitution for EBFC...Mohammad Rashid and Saul Crespo go off and on comes Kevin Sibille and Souvik Chakraborty.
Nothing different, just like the first-half, East Bengal dominate possession and every now and then they look to hit Sreenidi on the counter. EB have been quite solid from the flanks and made sure that most of their goals came from crosses.
GOOOAL!!! It's goal number 4!! Jeakson Singh's glancing header finds the far corner of the net from a Saul corner and the I-League side have no reply whatsoever...
GOOOAAL!!! Hamid Ahadad scores!! What a delightful finish from a volley! Bipin Singh getting his second assist of the game and Ahadad's shot was too much for GK Adil to save. It's 3-0 now!
We are back for the second-half! East Bengal will be looking to extend their lead and end the match on a high!
It's half-time here at the Kalyani! East Bengal take a comfortable 2-0 lead as they go into the break to take a breather.
2 minutes have been added on for stoppages. Can EB extend their lead?
GOAAL!!! Martand Raina doubles East Bengal's lead with a wonderfully executed drop header after meeting a juicy delivery from Bipin Singh!! 2-0 lead is what they craved for just before the break.
30 minutes into the game and East Bengal have already shown, why they are one of the top contenders to win the prestigious tournament. Mind you, East Bengal are the most successful team in this very competition with 29 titles.
East Bengal keep up their possesion game and now they have won a free-kick from a promising position. Rashid has a crack and his brilliant shot was expertly saved by Deccan GK Adil! Good save!
GOOOAL!!! Jay Gupta scores from the rebound! The debutant who came from FC Goa, found an opportunity and didn't make a mistake from close range. Miguel's free-kick was hesitantly saved by the Deccan GK but from the rebound, Gupta slides it in for the opening goal from inside the box!
East Bengal miss from point-blank range!! Bipin Singh does really well to get the ball into empty space amongst the crowd but Miguel, who was looking to slide it in, found the ball onto his weak foot and puts it wide!
East Bengal still creating pressure with their possession game but not getting the clear cut opportunities to break the deadlock.
It's still 0-0 at the Kalyani. East Bengal are enjoying more of the ball and they did manage to find the back of the net from a header but it was eventually called offside.
EB Playing XI: Debjit, Rakip, Nunga, Martand, Jay, Rashid, Saul, Vishnu, Bipin, Miguel, Hamid.
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the IFA Shield 2025 match between East Bengal and Sreenidi Deccan!
Head coach Oscar Bruzón will be eager to maintain East Bengal's strong domestic run. The Red and Golds recently lifted the Calcutta Football League (CFL) title and showcased fine form in the Durand Cup 2025, reaching the semifinals before being edged out by Diamond Harbour FC, who eventually finished as runners-up.
However, East Bengal will be without their newly signed Japanese forward Hiroshi Ibusuki, whose visa issues have delayed his debut. His absence means the team will rely heavily on its homegrown attacking talents and a creative midfield to step up in front of goal. Defensively, East Bengal will need to stay sharp against a well-drilled Sreenidi Deccan unit renowned for their disciplined defending and swift counter-attacking play.
For Sreenidi Deccan, this fixture offers a chance to prove themselves against one of India's most storied football clubs. Expect them to adopt a tactical approach, blending solid organization at the back with quick offensive transitions and threat from set pieces.
Entry to the match will be free, and a big turnout is expected at Kalyani. Fans have been urged to arrive early to ensure a smooth entry process, with tight security arrangements in place at the venue.
As one of India's oldest tournaments returns to the footballing spotlight, the East Bengal vs Sreenidi Deccan clash promises intensity, tradition, and the kind of passion that defines Kolkata football.