SC Delhi vs East Bengal Preview - Team news, lineups | Durand Cup 2026
East Bengal to face SC Delhi in semifinal 1 in Kolkata.
East Bengal will lock horns against Sporting Delhi in semifinal 1 of 2026 Durand Cup at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) Stadium, Kolkata on August 19, 2026, Wednesday at 7 pm (IST). Both the sides will look to edge past each other to secure their Grand Finale ticket.
A great opportunity for both teams, as both of them have played brilliant football in the group stage games and not only that, but a vital point would also be the form of the two sides, as SC Delhi come into the game in a very positive manner after thrashing FC Raengdai 5-1, while East Bengal FC will look to continue their winning momentum on one of the biggest stages and move a step closer to winning their 17th Durand Cup title, while maintaining their century-old legacy.
The Stakes
East Bengal FC
East Bengal are coming into this match on the back of a 1-0 victory against Indian Army FT in the quarterfinals of the Durand Cup 2026.
East Bengal didn’t play their perfect game against Indian Army, but PV Vishnu’s solitary goal was enough for them to seal the deal. They missed a few easy chances, while Phurba Lachenpa of the Red and Gold Brigade made some crucial saves between the posts to maintain a clean sheet in the quarter-final match.
However, the players looked a bit tired after playing three back-to-back matches within a span of 10 days, including an AFC Champions League Two playoff and Durand Cup matches.
As a result, head coach Antonio Lopez Habas, speaking in the post-match press conference after the quarter-final match, termed this kind of rigorous scheduling in Indian football “stupid” and believes it will only worsen the quality of football in India in the coming days.
East Bengal were able to maintain their defensive discipline and played attacking football under their new head coach Antonio Lopez Habas. Now, the challenge for the Torchbearers is to maintain the winning consistency if they really want to dominate their way into winning the Durand Cup championship.
This is a knockout match and a must-win as well, SC Delhi will not be an easy opponent for the Red and Gold Brigade and the task ahead is daunting and tough.
A dominating win for East Bengal will not only help them to seal their spot in the final for the 27th time but also further improve the belief in Habas’ system – but a loss or draw in the must-win game can be an unnecessary setback for the club before the ACL Two group stage fixtures and the new Indian Super League (ISL) season.
Sporting Club Delhi
SC Delhi have maintained their attractive brand of football in the competition, while some excellent additions have bolstered the team and helped them develop a solid core to compete in future championships.
They beat Jamshedpur FC earlier in their group stage match, and then they surpassed the Sri Lankan side with a thrashing victory of 7-0, and the Indian Air Force FT with another thrashing victory of 7-1.
They are coming into this match on the back of a 5-1 victory against FC Raengdai in the Durand Cup Quarter Final and now they will eye a commanding win over East Bengal FC in the Semi Final of the Durand Cup which will ensure them a spot in the grand finale on their debut appearance in one of the prestigious and oldest tournament of Asia.
Team News
East Bengal’s new Spanish defender, Nacho Monsalve, is injured and will probably miss the match. PV Vishnu has a slight cramp but is fit to play. Other than that, East Bengal have a fully fit squad.
SC Delhi should have a fully fit unit available for their upcoming game.
Head-to-Head Record (Durand Cup)
East Bengal and SC Delhi will meet each other for the first time in the history of the Durand Cup.
Predicted Lineups
East Bengal (4-2-3-1)
Phurba Lachenpa (GK), Hardik Bhatt, Lalchungnunga, Anwar Ali, Sandip Mandi, Mohammed Rashid, Dani Ramirez, Jeakson Singh, Edmund Lalrindika, Rohit Danu and PV Vishnu.
SC Delhi (4-4-2)
Nora Fernandes (GK), Duvan Viáfara, Ashutosh Mehta, Manoj Md, Lamgoulen Gogou Hangshing, Lalrinliana Hnamte, Juan Pena, Mohammed Azhar, Tomba Singh, Md. Aimen, and Rodriguinho.
Players to Watchout
Dani Ramirez (East Bengal)
Dani Ramírez, the Spanish midfielder could be East Bengal’s creative heartbeat against SC Delhi in the all-important semifinal clash in Durand Cup 2026 on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at the VYBK Stadium.
He has contributed both goals and assist for East Bengal in this year’s Durand Cup so far. He can control the game from the midfield and can supply goal-scoring balls to the frontline as well.
At the age of 34, Ramirez brings a lot of experience in the midfield for the Torchbearers which could be really a valuable asset in a high voltage semifinal clash.
Ramirez can exploit the the spaces behind the midfield of SC Delhi very well as SC Delhi have been extremely attacking in this tournament, scoring heavily in their last two games. So, East Bengal needs to win the ball in transition and play on a counter attack tactics using Ramirez’s skills to the fullest.
Rodriguinho (SC Delhi)
Rodriguinho, the Brazilian forward has emerged as SC Delhi’s biggest attacking threat in the Durand Cup. He is in red-hot form and has already 7 goals so far in the tournament which also includes one fifer against Defenders FC in the group stage.
He has also scored the third goal of SC Delhi in the quarter-final against FC Raengdai and offers a major threat for the defence line of the opponent team.
East Bengal defenders like Anwar Ali, Sandip Mandi and others cannot offer Rodriguinho free space because if the Brazilian receives the ball around the box, he can be very dangerous. His recent scoring form makes him one of the most capable players who can change the game at any point.
Telecast Details
The Durand Cup 2026 semifinal clash between East Bengal and SC Delhi will take place at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) Stadium, Kolkata on Wednesday, 19 August (2026).
The match will kick off at 7 PM IST. It will be livestreamed on Sony LIV and be broadcasted live on Sony Ten 2.
When is the East Bengal vs SC Delhi Durand Cup 2026 semifinal match?
The match will be played on Wednesday, August 19, 2026. The match will take place at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata at 7 PM (IST).
Where can fans watch the East Bengal vs SC Delhi match live?
The match will be broadcast live on Sony Ten 2 and streamed on Sony LIV.
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Dwaipayan Mandal holds dual degrees in Sports Management and Digital Marketing from IISWBM, Kolkata. A passionate football enthusiast, he follows the game across the globe, with East Bengal holding a special place in his heart. Beyond football, he enjoys cricket, golf, and tennis. With a keen interest in sports journalism and digital storytelling, Dwaipayan is committed to creating insightful content that connects with fans.