Kolkata, September 22: East Bengal were crowned champions of the Calcutta Football League 2025–26 after defeating United Sports Club 2–1 in the final decider on Monday at the East Bengal Club Ground. Before the match kicked off, East Bengal received their previous season’s trophy, which had been delayed due to a court case. With the case now resolved, the Indian Football Federation officially declared East Bengal as champions of the 2024–25 season, and Mayor Firhad Hakim handed over the trophy to the club before kick-off.
East Bengal started the game on the front foot, creating chances early on. In the 5th minute, Aman CK delivered a fine ball from the right to Sayan Banerjee inside the box. Sayan’s close-range attempt, however, was cleared off the goal line by Sukhchand Kisku, denying the opener.
At the 10th minute, another attack saw Sayan Banerjee rise for a header that fell to Vishnu. He fired a sharp one-touch half-volley, but the United keeper produced an incredible save to keep the score level.
East Bengal continued to press, and in the 30th minute, Tanmoy Das got the ball inside the right box, but fell down in between gathering. The loose ball fell to Sayan Banerjee, who unleashed a grounder, but it went wide of the target closely.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 37th minute. From the right, Sayan Banerjee unleashed a long-range effort which United keeper Raunak initially saved bravely, throwing his body on the line. However, the rebound fell to David inside the box, and he made no mistake in slotting it into the net, putting East Bengal 1-0 ahead.
In the first half’s dying moment Sayan’s shot got hitted the post. East Bengal went into the break with a deserved lead, having dominated possession and attacking intent, while United relied on their goalkeeper’s brilliance to stay in the contest.
The second half kicked off from where East Bengal resumed the game. However as time went United Sports pushing hard for an equaliser. In the 67th minute, Dipesh Murmu delivered a brilliant cross from the right, finding Shreenath inside the box. His header was goal-bound, but East Bengal keeper Gourab produced a stunning save to keep the Red & Golds ahead.
Three minutes later, controversy struck. Dipesh Murmu, once again in the action, he was challenged inside the box by Bikram Pradhan. United Sports appealed for a penalty, and the situation quickly turned chaotic. Tempers flared on the pitch, in the United bench and gallery and in the aftermath, one of United’s coaching staff was shown a red card.
Goalkeeper Raunak Ghosh was forced off due to injury, with Arnab Das stepping in. United, however, kept pressing, and their persistence paid off in the 87th minute. Shreenath chipped in a cross from the right, and an unmarked Amit Basak rose to head home the equaliser, making it 1–1. The celebrations had barely settled when East Bengal struck back immediately. Guite’s shot from inside the box was fisted away, but the rebound fell to Shaymal Besra, who made no mistake in restoring East Bengal’s lead in the 88th minute.
The decider ended 2–1 in favour of East Bengal, who showcased consistency under pressure to secured their 41st Calcutta Football League title. The final whistle was followed by jubilant celebrations at the ground, as fans, players, and officials celebrated yet another golden chapter in the club’s illustrious history.
Watch East Bengal FC vs United Sports CFL 2025 Super Six match highlights
Read more about Calcutta Football League
