Dramatic Draw In Super Cup Opener As East Bengal Squander Chances

Image Credit: All India Football Federation

East Bengal and Dempo SC played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in their Super Cup 2025-26 Group A opener at GMC Stadium in Bambolim on Saturday. The result left East Bengal frustrated after dominating long stretches of play but failing to convert their superiority into three points.

The match marked the first meeting between these two historic clubs in over a decade. East Bengal arrived as Super Cup champions from 2024 and recent IFA Shield runners-up. Dempo, meanwhile, came into the contest unbeaten in Goa Pro League and buoyed by playing at home.

East Bengal started brightly and should have taken the lead within two minutes. Bipin Singh's low cross found Hiroshi Ibusuki in space, but the Japanese striker's first time effort struck the crossbar. East Bengal continued to dominate possession and tempo, yet struggled to find the back of the net through the first half. Dempo capitalised on their limited chances in the 27'. Amay Morajkar's free kick into the box caught goalkeeper Debjit Majumdar off his line. The East Bengal goalkeeper misjudged the ball's flight, and Mohamed Ali pounced to slot into an empty net. The goal boosted Dempo's confidence and they grew into the game with compact defending that frustrated East Bengal's attacking play. The Red and Golds trailed 1-0 at the break despite their first half dominance.

East Bengal emerged rejuvenated after the interval. Hamid Ahadad's long range effort forced goalkeeper Ashish Sibi to parry straight to Naorem Mahesh Singh, who fired home from close range to level in the 46'. In the 57', substitute Miguel Ferreira produced a moment of quality. Lalchungnunga's weighted pass sent Miguel clear on the left flank. The midfielder cut inside and struck a fierce bouncing shot past Sibi into the far corner to put East Bengal ahead. East Bengal pressed for a third goal but could not find it. Mahesh Singh's curling free-kick rattled the outside of the post and Ferreira saw another chance denied by Sibi. With the match heading toward victory for East Bengal, super sub Laximanrao Rane delivered a sucker punch in the 89'. Receiving the ball at the edge of the box, he swivelled and drilled a low shot toward the near post that Debjit failed to keep out.

The late equaliser denied East Bengal what would have been a deserved victory and left both sides with a point from an entertaining contest.