Durand Cup 2025: Top three players to watch out for in East Bengal FC vs Diamond Harbour FC

Diamond Harbour FC have qualified for the Durand Cup semi-finals for the first time.

The 16-time Durand Cup champions East Bengal FC will look to continue their march towards glory in the Durand Cup as they face Diamond Harbour FC in the second semi-final. The Red and Gold Brigade are riding high after their thrilling derby delight as they edged Mohun Bagan in the quarter-finals. The Oscar Bruzon-led side will have to shift their focus to the next assignment and be prepared for the semi-final.

Diamond Harbour are one of the highlights of this year’s Durand Cup. They have surprised many to advance to the semi-finals. The newly promoted I League side has had to face some stiff competition but they have excelled in all of them to reach this stage of the tournament.

The grand stage of Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan is ready to host the first-ever meeting between the two sides. In this article, we will look into the top three players to watch out for in the second semi-final of the Durand Cup 2025.

Also Read: Diamond Harbour FC vs East Bengal Preview, team news, lineups & prediction | Durand Cup 2025 semifinal

3. Luka Majcen (Diamond Harbour FC)

The main man for Diamond Harbour FC will have the spotlight on him when he takes the field against East Bengal in the second semi-final. The Serbian No.9 has scored four goals in the tournament and is looking lethal in front of the goal.

He was signed by Diamond Harbour to do this job, and he has done it impressively. What is more important is his ability to create a chance when things don’t seem to go as planned, and it will come in handy in a pressure match like the one he is set to play on August 20. The back line of East Bengal has proved to be a tough nut to crack, but Majcen has the experience of breaking the most resilient of defenses.

2. Hamid Ahadad (East Bengal FC)

The quarter-final victory against Mohun Bagan did not have any goal contribution from the Moroccan Hamid Ahadad, but he remains one of the biggest threats that the Red and Gold Brigade will bank on. Having registered his name on the scoresheet on two occasions already, he has given a selection headache to Oscar Bruzon.

He has been clinical in front of the goal in his first three games in East Bengal colours. The Moroccan has the quality to put pressure on the vulnerable backline of Diamond Harbour FC. The I League side conceded five goals when they faced Mohun Bagan, and with an equally potent attack, East Bengal would aim to do something similar.

1. Dimitrios Diamantakos

Dimitrios Diamantakos is the most talked-about individual among East Bengal fans after his heroics in the derby in the quarter-final. His brilliant brace brought joy to East Bengal fans’ faces, something which has been missing whenever they have faced Mohun Bagan in recent times. Showing his deadly predator instincts, Diamantakos set the stage on fire in the quarter-final.

He was brought on as a substitute by Oscar Bruzon in the quarter-final. It will be interesting to see if Bruzon puts him in the starting lineup against Diamond Harbour FC. East Bengal desperately require their ‘Dimi’ to be on target in the semi-final as they prepare to mount a title challenge in this year’s Durand Cup.

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