East Bengal players open up after historic 4-1 Kolkata Derby win in Durand Cup 2026 Final
Red & Gold Brigade has lifted their 17th Durand Cup
A pure dominating display by East Bengal FC as they have managed to surpass their arch-rivals, Mohun Bagan SG, in the Durand Cup 2026 Final with a scoreline of 4-1 to lift their record 17th title, equalling the Mariners in the trophy tally. East Bengal’s Bipin Singh broke the deadlock for the Red & Gold Brigade as Edmund Lalrindika scored a brilliant hat-trick to seal the deal, while Manvir Singh bagged a single goal for Mohun Bagan.
At the start of the game, Bipin Singh scored a goal relying on a Basim Rashid screamer, like a pass through the middle of the channel, and Shubhasish Bose didn’t make any challenge as the lining ball fall towards the feet of Bipin. The former Mumbai City FC winger slotted the ball in and made no mistake in giving the lead to his respective side. And with the goal, the Torchbearers got the momentum as Edmund then went through and captured a beautiful hat trick.
After the victory at the VYBK, Kolkata, in front of their supporters and also lifting the title after a long wait of 22 years, the footballers of East Bengal FC shared their emotions on clinching the Durand Cup 2026. The captain, MD Rashid, hat-trick hero Edmund Lalrindika, defender Sandip Mandi, Dani Ramirez and Prabhsukhan Singh Gill expressed their feelings and dedicated the win to the fans.
Captain MD Rashid called out his first expression after East Bengal’s win
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A tournament to remember for East Bengal FC’s new captain this season, MD Basim Rashid, who has been an integral part of the Durand Cup 2026 winning side as he lifted the 17th title after 2004. From the midfield to helping out the attack with his work rate and pure footballing game sense, he was great in Asia’s oldest & most prestigious tournament. He also secured the ISL with the same club last season, and after winning the trophy, the Palestine midfielder called out that the joy and the title is for the fans.
“Everybody is happy. We are all happy. After the very long, not pre-season, I don’t know, it’s been a season. But we are very happy. Right now we cannot say anything more than that. So congratulations to all the fans, all the supporters.”
“This one is for them. I hope they enjoy this one. And this is just the beginning. What more is there to say? I hope they can enjoy this.” Rashid spoke to the East Bengal supporters.
Basim Rashid cancelled out all the criticism towards East Bengal’s transitional playing system, as many objected that the Red & Gold were too late to convert the open chances, and after the game, the captain spoke from the front about this situation and how they managed to get past that.
“Every game we have chances, but we don’t score. Today the chances we get, we score. This is the only difference that happens. Every game we have chances. Today we scored. So this is very important.”
“This shows that when a team actually finishes their chances, this is what happens. You play good, you play comfortable. So I’m very proud of everyone, very proud of the team.”
“Right now the more serious games are coming. AFC, ISL, this is what’s going to count more. Like I said, this is just the pre-season tournament. We are warming up.”
“I hope this is just the beginning, and I think we can get more”: Edmund Lalrindika
When the final whistle was blown at the Salt Lake Stadium on 23rd August, the whole VYBK and the fans from the stands roared the name of an Indian forward, and he was Edmund Lalrindika, who had previously played for them. A dream match for the former Inter Kashi boy as Habas guided him and got the result, but if we look back, then in the ISL 2025-26 season Kolkata Derby he also bagged a very important goal for East Bengal FC.
After scoring a picture-perfect hat-trick against Mohun Bagan, Edmund Lalrindika shared his emotions as he called out that this is just a new era of East Bengal and an eye for something big in the ISL and in the AFC also.
“Yeah, it feels very good. To score a hat trick, I feel really proud that I am able to do this. But most importantly, we win the game and win the trophy. That is more important for me. I hope this is just the beginning and I think we can get more trophies this season, hopefully.”
The Indian Men’s National Football Team will contest against the Brazil Football Team, the five-time World Cup champions and before the game, Edmund is purely hoping to get his name selected by the AIFF as he played great football for East Bengal FC in the Durand Cup and won the Golden Ball.
“I am really happy. Long way to go for me. Everybody is waiting to play for India. As a player, as an Indian player, to represent your country is a dream for everyone. I will be really happy if I get selected and play for a cup against a great country like Brazil. Hopefully, it can help. But let’s see what the future holds.”
Bengal boy Sandip Mandi felt excited at home after winning the trophy
From Inter Kashi FC to earn the respect and the place in the starting eleven is not an easy task, and not only that, after the departure of East Bengal’s one of the best defenders, Kevin Sibille, the Bengal-born Sandip Mandi, who often played as left back in his Inter Kashi days, almost played three to four Durand Cup games as a centre back for the Torchbearers. And he has done so well, and it has been an impressive season for him as well, as he burst with emotions.
“I am feeling really good after winning the trophy. It is a whole team effort from everyone right their who played for the badge. Mohun Bagan looked a bit more tired in the first half but they also played a great football.”
Gill and Ramirez expected the best in the upcoming days
“We will enjoy tonight. Then let’s see. We will give our best in the upcoming days, and will bring the respect of this club in International level football as we have to play AFC next. So we will simply focus on that and also in the ISL.”
“This was not an easy game but everybody played their best football and gave their 100% effort to make sure to win the trophy.” Prabhsukhan Singh Gill stated.
“We are really happy, very happy. Thank you. It’s amazing. For this moment, we are finally playing football. To play in front of the fans, give them an amazing feeling, and I’m really happy.” Dani Ramirez stated.
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Rohit Mistri is a sports journalist from Kolkata with over two years of experience in the field. He has extensively covered Indian football, including major tournaments such as the Calcutta Football League and the Indian Super League. His work spans on-ground reporting, match coverage, and in-depth storytelling, along with interviews of prominent sporting personalities. Rohit brings strong communication skills and a deep passion for sports narratives to everything he writes.