Durand Cup 2025 Quarterfinal: Top 5 players to watch out in Kolkata Derby

Both the teams are in stellar form ahead of Kolkata Derby.

The first Kolkata derby of the 2025-26 season is all set to take place in the quarterfinals of the Durand Cup! East Bengal will lock horns with rivals Mohun Bagan, with the two being pitted against each other after having dominated the group stages.

This will, arguably, be the biggest game of the 2025 Durand Cup and there is expected a lot of feistiness involved. With both teams desperate to defeat each other and earn bragging rights for their set of fans, there should be plenty of action int his upcoming derby and a lot of drama involved as well.

The Durand Cup derby will be the first Kolkata derby for many of the new signings, especially in the East Bengal front. Some old foes will also meet each other, but a few particular individuals can make a significant impact to win the game for their side.

Here we shall look at the top-5 players to watch out for in the Durand Cup quarterfinal between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan.

Also Read: Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal Preview, team news, lineups & prediction | Durand Cup 2025 quarter-final

5. Sahal Abdul Samad

Sahal Abdul Samad is starting to show that he can be an ideal Greg Stewart replacement at Mohun Bagan, having churned out some eye-catching performances at the Durand Cup.

The India international has showcased a lot of positive energy with his output in the Durand Cup games so far, troubling oppositions with his clever pressing and proactive presence in midfield. Moreover, he has also been prolific in the final third, grabbing him two goals and a few assists in the Durand Cup.

Sahal will need to be decisive and efficient with his final product in the derby to help his side get the better of East Bengal. He needs to work hard to win back the ball in key areas, but more importantly nail his final third passes to create big chances. He’ll also be tasked to try and slip into more goalscoring positions and finish off chances valiantly to bring joy to the Mohun Bagan fans.

4. Miguel Ferreira

Miguel Ferreira was a signing that Oscar Bruzon personally pushed for East Bnegal to make, after the Brazilian had excelled under him at Bashundhara Kings. Ferreira has not taken much time at all in adapting to football in India and has already been a driving force for the Red & Gold Brigade in the Durand Cup. Miguel produced a brilliant assist in East Bengal’s win over Namdhari FC and he also helped them control the game against the Indian Air Force. He has already become a commanding figure in the box, who loves getting the ball in empty spaces and moving his side forward with clever defence-splitting passes.

Well, Ferreira will face his biggest challenge as an East Bengal player in the upcoming game against Mohun Bagan. He needs to be really energetic in winning the key duels in midfield and being smart with his forward passes. He’ll also look to use his set-piece prowess to create big chances from corners and free kicks and give his side that added edge in the attack.

3. Liston Colaco

Liston Colaco has arguably looked the sharpest player in the Mohun Bagan squad in their 2025 Durand Cup campaign. He has produced some brilliant performances, being extremely clinical in the final third and taking up his chances perfectly. The India international is the current joint-highest scorer in the Durand Cup, having scored five goals and also provided an assist in the group stages. He was on fire in the group games, using his blistering pace and effective final product to torment his opponents.

Well, Colaco will now face a much more challenging task in trying to maintain his hot form against a sturdy East Bengal side. He will need to be smart with his movement to move into the empty pockets of space, and a lot more accurate with his crosses. Colaco will look to disrupt the East Bengal backline with his driving runs and put his efficient shooting ability to good use to light up the Salt Lake Stadium.

2. Hamid Ahadad

Hamid Ahadad was brought on board at East Bengal to amplify their goalscoring ability and fortunately for the Kolkata giants, that is exactly what has happened! Ahadad has taken no time at all in proving his ability as a ruthless goalscorer and a decisive box striker. Ahadad has been pretty good with his link-up play, but his eye for goals and impressive finishing helps him stand out among his peers at East Bengal. Now, it’s time for the Moroccan forward to really prove his ability to succeed against the toughest opponent in Indian football.

Ahadad’s qualities and temperament will be tested in the tense Kolkata derby, and it’s a game where he’ll need to prove his quality as a top quality forward. Ahadad will need to be smart with his passing to help drive his side forward. However, he’ll mostly be tasked to confuse the Mohun Bagan defenders by getting into the empty spaces in th box and finish off chances clinically to help his side earn derby joy against their rivals.

1. Jamie Maclaren

Jamie Maclaren has been a thorn for East Bengal ever since he joined Mohun Bagan in the 2024 summer window, having produced some memorable performances in the 2024-25 season’s Kolkata Derby. Maclaren has picked up his fitness for this upcoming game against East Bengal, having featured in the win over Diamond Harbour FC.

He scored a nice goal in the win over the I-League side and seems to be ready to rock in the Kolkata derby again. Maclaren scored in both the Indian Super League (ISL) derbies last season to guide Mohun Bagan to decisive victories.

Jose Molina will be tasking him to do the same for the upcoming Durand Cup clash. Maclaren will look to trouble the East Bengal backline with his clever off-the-ball movement and ability to break past his marker. He will need to be sharp with his combination play, but Maclaren will be particularly interested to moving through on goal and finishing his chances prolifically to help bring more derby joy to Mohun Bagan.

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