East Bengal kicked off their 2025/26 ISL campaign at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, against Durand Cup champions Northeast United FC. In the end, the Red and Gold Brigade easily defeated the Highlanders 3-0, winning the game with comfort.
East Bengal’s 18 shots during the game demonstrated their superiority over the opposition. In the first half, the hosts failed to convert most of their opportunities despite coming close on several occasions. Ejjezari’s brace and Miguel Figueira’s exquisite left-footed goal, however, put Oscar Bruzon’s team in the driver’s seat in the second half.
Here are three takeaways from Northeast United FC’s disappointing performance against an in-form East Bengal.
Are East Bengal contenders for the 2025/26 ISL title?
One thing was evident from East Bengal’s victory against Northeast United today: they issued a message to all 13 ISL clubs that they are here to play and challenge for the ISL shield. The momentum for the season began right from the Durand Cup. They were semifinalists in the Durand Cup, finalists in the IFA Shield, loosing on penalties against Mohun Bagan, and finalists in the Super Cup, loosing on penalties against FC Goa.
Even though a few players have left, they have put together an outstanding team with outstanding depth. Their defense appears to have improved with the acquisition of Jay Gupta. The midfield with Saul Crespo, Rashid, and Miguel is balanced, aggressive, and creative, and they gave the Northeast United midfield absolutely no chance.
In attack, Ejjezari appears to be firing from the start. They start Bipin and Nandha as wingers, with Vishnu and Edmund coming off the bench. Jerry isn’t even used as a substitute. Anton Sojberg has yet to arrive, while Mahesh is still recovering from his injuries.
If Oscar Bruzon can perfect his combinations and they avoid serious injuries (touchwood), they might challenge Mohun Bagan for the championship given the options they have at their disposal.
Northeast United already missing Alaeddine Ajaraie
Northeast United FC had only three shots throughout the game, two of which were on target. For the majority of the match, they weren’t allowed to attack and had to defend in their own defensive half against East Bengal. Even in the odd chances they were on the attack, they lacked a physical presence in the box to be at the right place at the right time to score goals.
This begs the question: did they miss Alaeddine Ajaraie? Of course they did. Ajaraie produced 30 of the 45 goals recorded by Northeast United previous season, accounting for 67% of the total. And they precisely missed that today.
Juan Pedro Benali’s group lacked someone who could take shots and challenge the opposing goalkeeper, someone who could be in the box for crosses from the flanks, & someone who could pull off something miraculous and give the team the lead out of nowhere
Although it’s encouraging to see Indian strikers like Rinzuala & Parthib Gogoi given opportunities, Juan Pedro Benali has to figure out alternative ways to score the goals that Ajaraie was scoring the previous campaign.
Time to start Edmund on the wings?
For over an hour, East Bengal did everything right but score. They did, however, score twice in eight minutes after Edmund’s introduction. Although he did not get an assist/goal, he was involved in both of the goals. Edmund with his run, did just enough to move Samte away from the goal, allowing Ejjezari to overcome Zabaco and score the first goal.
For the second goal, Edmund made a terrific run from the right side to the left wing, collected Anwar’s through pass, and displayed amazing calm to choose Ejjezari, who just tucked the ball into the net.
To be fair to Nandha, he got into a number of nice scoring opportunities but couldn’t convert them. Edmund’s cameos off the bench demonstrate excellent aggressiveness and calmness, and Oscar Bruzon cannot keep him away from the starting 11 for much longer. Even in the Super Cup, he produced an assist off the bench.
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