A debut goal from Moroccan forward Hamid Ahadad proved the difference as Emami East Bengal FC overcame a stubborn Namdhari FC 1-0 in the Durand Cup. Niraj Kumar’s heroics kept Namdhari in the game, but the Red and Gold Brigade’s persistence paid off to keep them top of Group A.

Bhupinder and Cledson scored late in the second half to hand Namdhari Sports Academy a deserved 2–0 win over South United FC in their debut Durand Cup campaign. South United finish their group stage with a solitary point.