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

East Bengal will be challenged by Diamond Harbour in the semi-final.

The second semi-final of the Durand Cup 2025 will be a battle between David and Goliath. High-flying Diamond Harbour FC will face East Bengal FC, who are coming on the back of a derby victory. The Red and Gold Brigade is moving with a purpose in the Durand Cup. Oscar Bruzon has impressively battle-hardened his side with reinforcements. The match against Mohun Bagan was evidence of how a new team is shaping up under Bruzon. However, the semi-final won’t be a walk in the park for East Bengal.

Kibu Vicuna-led Diamond Harbour have proved that the Durand Cup is not just about big names doing big things. It is also about underdogs scripting their own story. They have turned heads in this competition after taking down teams like Mohammedan SC and Jamshedpur FC. Their biggest test in the semi-final will be not to be overawed by the occasion and the opposition.

The Stakes

East Bengal FC

A team’s legacy is judged by the number of silverware it has in the cabinet. East Bengal stands tall on that parameter with a cabinet filled with silverware. But the last few years have been an ordeal for the Red and Gold Brigade. The club has gone through tough times in the last decade or so. However, things seem to be coming back on track after Bruzon’s arrival. East Bengal desperately want some silverware, and they would put their lives on the line to lift the Durand Cup once again. This campaign will have a bearing on how things will function at the club this season. New signings have to step up to the occasion, and old names have to prove their mettle. Now is the time for the club to be ruthless.

Diamond Harbour FC

If Diamond Harbour FC have to establish their presence in Indian Football, this is the opportunity. The test against East Bengal will not be just of skill; their character will be tested as well. If the newly promoted I League can keep the pressure of the occasion aside and just focus on how they have to execute their plans, they have a chance. Kibu Vicuna will talk about the results against Jamshedpur FC and Mohammedan SC in his pre-match conversation with the players. He will try to instill belief in his boys by making them realize what they have done in the tournament so far. Football has always been a game where it is not just about the quality, but sheer will has a role to play as well, and Diamond Harbour would count on their mentality to face this challenge.

Team News

There are no major injury concerns in either camp, making it clear that there is little possibility of a change in the squad for both teams.

Head-to-Head

The two sides have never faced each other before. This will be their first ever meeting, and the stage makes this occasion more special.

Predicted Lineups

East Bengal FC

Prabhsukhan Singh Gill (GK), Anwar Ali, Lalchungnunga, Kevin Sibille, Mohamad Rakip, Miguel Ferreira, Naorem Mahesh, Edmund Lalrindika, Saul Crespo, Bipin Singh, Hamid Ahadad

Diamond Harbour FC

Susnata Malik (GK), Ajith Kumar, Mikel Kortazar, Naresh Singh, Melroy Assisi, Clayton, Lalliansanga, Paul Ramfangzauva, Girik Khosla, Luka Majcen, Joby Justin

Player to watch out for

Dimitrios Diamantakos (East Bengal)

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.

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.

Telecast Details

The second semi-final between East Bengal FC and Diamond Harbour FC will be played on Wednesday, 20 August 2025, at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krinangan. It will kick off at 7 PM IST. The match will be shown live on the Sony Ten Sports network and SonyLIV.

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