Kolkata, May 20: One last push for the Red & Gold, as the chance has finally come to end their 22-year curse. Tomorrow from 7:30 PM, East Bengal FC will play their final match of the Indian Super League 2025–26 against Inter Kashi at Kashi’s home fixture, though at the well-known ground of East Bengal, Kishore Bharati Krirangan.
Twenty-two years ago, East Bengal FC, under Subhash Bhowmick, last won India’s top-flight league title. After years of struggle and 28 coaching changes, Spaniard Oscar Bruzon has finally brought a roadmap towards the championship, and the club now stands just one win away.
Before the final fixtures, six teams are still fighting for the ISL title, with East Bengal FC leading the table. Their arch-rivals and defending champions, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, are second on goal difference despite having the same points. A win is now a must.
The opponents, Inter Kashi, the debutants, are struggling both on and off the field. They have collected 13 points from 12 matches, and due to mismanagement, their head coach Antonio Habas left the club before the end of the campaign. Meanwhile, Abhijit Mondal is now serving as the head coach.
Despite the condition of the team and the management, they have drawn their last two games, one of them against Mohun Bagan Super Giant. So, regardless of the situation, while the Red & Gold Brigade may be ahead based on any status over, Kashi, with nothing to lose could become dangerous.
As Saul, Mahesh already out Edmund for his red card won’t be available tomorrow for East Bengal FC. While there is no card issues but Jayesh Rane is injured so he won’t be available for Kashi.
For most of the season, Oscar Bruzon avoided talking openly about the title race. Even when East Bengal FC were performing consistently and staying among the top teams, he kept repeating the importance of staying grounded. The scars of previous failed seasons were still fresh around the club, and he did not want to put extra pressure on the players.
But now, with only one match left, Bruzon finally admitted that the dream is real. He spoke about the belief he always had in his squad, the confidence within the dressing room, and the work the team has built throughout the season. According to him, this campaign was never only about results, it was about creating a group capable of handling difficult moments together.
Speaking about Inter Kashi, Oscar Bruzon said the opponents could be dangerous because they are playing without pressure. Since their league position is unlikely to change, Inter Kashi have the freedom to approach the game openly, whether by defending deep or attacking aggressively, while Abhijit Mondal stated they love to play with an attacking approach.
Bruzon added that East Bengal FC are prepared for both situations and already have plans according to how the game develops. At the same time, he warned that teams with nothing to lose can often produce their best performances.
For him, the biggest difference is motivation. While Inter Kashi are simply playing their final game of the season, East Bengal are stepping onto the pitch with ambition, and the chance to fight for the title.
Abhijit Mondal made it clear that his players are not carrying anything of the past into this game. According to him, professional football demands complete focus on the present, and for Inter Kashi, this is simply a new challenge against East Bengal FC.
He admitted that the result will not change their league position, but stressed that his team has remained competitive in recent weeks and has continued to play open football. He also pointed out that the players are already highly motivated ahead of the match and do not need any extra push from the coaching staff.
And what he said before the Mohun Bagan SG match, he stated again, for him, this is the kind of game where the players understand the importance on their own, knowing that performances in such matches can influence their future as well.
East Bengal FC and Inter Kashi Coaches View:
One more win. One chance to rewrite history — Oscar Bruzon
“If we win one more game, we can become champions. So the road has been very, very long, very tough. And tomorrow’s game is the opportunity of closing a beautiful year. We depend to close one of the best years of our careers. We depend on making a good 90 minutes and getting the best results. So hopefully it’s going to come”.
This is the kind of game where players motivate themselves – Abhijit Mondal
“If you are in a professional career, you won’t remember the past. Our boys are ready for this match. They don’t have to motivate me. A match will determine their future. They don’t have to be motivated by me. They are already motivated”.
Now, after a long season filled with pressure, belief, setbacks, and hope, everything comes down to one final night. For East Bengal FC, it is a chance to end years of waiting and finally touch glory again, while the players of Inter Kashi step onto the pitch wanting to prove themselves on the big stage. One match, ninety minutes, and the hope of title waiting at the end.
Pre Match Press Conference
Watch ISL 2025-26 – Inter Kashi vs East Bengal FC at Fancode, Kickoff 7:30pm
Read more about Indian Football
