East Bengal FC vs Punjab FC Player Ratings: Saul Crespo, Kevin Sibille shine as Red & Gold Brigade storm into Super Cup 2025 final

East Bengal will face the winner of FC Goa and Mumbai City FC in the Super Cup 2025 final.

East Bengal stormed into the final of the AIFF Super Cup 2025 with a commendable 3-1 win over Punjab FC in the semi-final encounter at the Fatorda Stadium on Thursday, 4 December 2025.

The Red and Gold Brigade took the lead in the 12th minute through a powerful goal from Mohammed Rashid, but missed a cheap penalty in the 34th minute through Dani Ramirez to make the score 1-1.

However, the Kolkata side regained their lead through Kevin Sibille’s emphatic header in the 45+3’ mark. Saul Crespo then finished the deal with a stunning left-footed goal in the 71st minute, sending Oscar Bruzon’s side to their second Super Cup final in the last two years!

Here are the player ratings for the semi-final 1 clash between East Bengal FC and Punjab FC.

East Bengal FC Player Ratings (by Uttiyo Sarkar)-

Prabhsukhan Gill – 6.0

Prabhsukhan Gill couldn’t really do much about the penalty, which was struck perfectly. He didn’t have that many saves to make, only making a stop late on, but he was sharp with his cross recoveries and calm with passing the ball out of danger.

Mohamad Rakip – 7.5

Rakip was quite vibrant on the right, keeping the dangerous Leon Augustine quiet with his sturdy defending. Worked hard to neutralise Punjab’s threat on his side and limit their options on the right wing.

Anwar Ali – 7.0

Another commendable defensive effort from Anwar. He really frustrated the Punjab FC forwards with his clever positioning and ability to make clutch challenges. Hardly put a foot wrong with his distribution, too.

Kevin Sibille – 8.5

Sibile is continuing to grow into an important player for East Bengal FC, and this was an emphatic display from him. He dealt really well with Effiong’s threat, restricting him to being frustrated up-front. The Argentine scored a powerful header to put his side ahead again and was defensively really solid.

Lalchungnunga – 6.0

Even though Lalchungnunga didn’t look totally comfortable in the debatable left-back role, he didn’t do that much wrong either. His positioning was a bit shaky at times, but he dug in to help keep a solid defensive shape.

Mohammed Rashid – 8.5

The Palestinian midfielder was a real workhorse on both sides of the pitch for East Bengal. He opened the scoring with an excellent goal, hitting a powerful shot into the back of the net. Apart from that, Rashid protected his backline with his smart positioning and recovered the ball many times in a sturdy display.

Saul Crespo – 9.0

Crespo continues to prove why he can be a key asset in this East Bengal side under Oscar Bruzon with the right kind of players beside him.

The Spanish midfielder was smart with his movement and link-up play, helping his team advance and also working hard to regain the ball regularly. Then capped off a great performance with a stellar left-footed goal to seal the win for East Bengal.

Miguel Ferreira – 8.5

Miguel Ferreira appears to have consolidated himself as that special spark East Bengal’s midfield has missed for a long time.

The Brazilian midfielder absolutely enjoyed himself against Punjab FC, outwitting their midfielders with his driving runs and clever passing. He assisted Kevin’s goal with a great cross and then set up Crespo’s strike with a smart pass, being a thorn with his decisive final product and unpredictable presence in the opposition half.

Naorem Mahesh Singh – 6.5

Mahesh Singh looked quite sharp with his movement and distribution. Moved his side forward nicely with his crisp passes and troubled players with his close control.

Bipin Singh – 6.0

Bipin Singh had a scrappy start to the game, with his poor handball allowing a cheap equaliser for the Shers. But, as the game progressed, Bipin improved his game; he was good in the second half. He delivered some excellent crosses and created a few big chances that were wasted.

Hiroshi Ibusuki – 6.0

Ibuski made his presence felt for East Bengal, harassing the Punjab FC defenders with his physicality. He won the majority of duels and bullied the defenders, opening up spaces for his teammates.

Despite his admirable link-up play, Ibuski had a scrappy game in the final third, missing a huge open-goal chance in the second half.

Substitutes

Edmund Lalrindika – 6.5

Edmund brought a positive energy to the game, working hard in the wide areas in driving his side forward with clever forward runs.

PV Vishnu – 6.0

Vishnu made a few nice runs in the transition moves for East Bengal and made a great run late in stoppage time, but his shot went wide.

Jay Gupta – N/R

Helped East Bengal get the job done in a late cameo.

David Lalhlansanga – N/R

Showcased positive energy late on.

Punjab FC Player Ratings (by Niranjan R Prabhu)-

Muheet Shabir – 4.5/10

Muheet was completely blinded by the crowd inside the 18-yard box when East Bengal scored the opener. Despite getting his fingertips on the ball, the weight at which the shot was deployed meant that the ball ultimately found its way to the back of the net.

Could have done way better to prevent the second goal from being scored. Had just an average performance in the crucial encounter, and poor goalkeeping cost Punjab a place in the finals.

Suresh Meitei – 4.5/10

Suresh was not having the best hour on the pitch as he struggled to defend efficiently. East Bengal players took advantage of the vacant space in the defensive third.

Failed to defend Miguel Ferreira in the second half, leading to his side conceding the third goal of the match. Lacked awareness and could have been better.

Pramveer – 5.5/10

Pramveer got a golden opportunity to open the scoring for his side during an early free kick, which, to his dismay, lacked proper connection.

In the 33rd minute, the defender whipped in a lofted ball into the final third, which laid the foundation for Punjab FC’s penalty. Was one of the only bright sparks in the first half, but was surprisingly subbed off just after the break.

Bijoy V – 5/10

Bijoy looked good in the backline, shadowing the East Bengal players and preventing them from creating trouble for his side. However, in the dying seconds of the first half, Bijoy failed to clear away the header from Kevin, which provided the opponents with a vital lead, just before the break.

Leon Augustine – 5/10

Leon was a bit late to close down the angle of Rashid during the second ball, which paved the way for the midfielder to breach the Punjab FC goal. Later, whenever the East Bengal players attempted to attack, Leon was quick enough to make some good blocks and clear away danger. Did his part to

Nikhil Prabhu – 4.5/10

Controlled the ball decently. Kept possession and made some good short passes in the midfield. However, Nikhil lacked flair and decision-making in the match, which backfired for Punjab FC. The captain was a bit too casual in the second half, and this led to Saul Crespo scoring the third goal for East Bengal.

Ricky Shabong – 5.5/10

The midfielder was very active in the offensive third and did his part, crafting attacks for the Shers. In the 33rd minute, Ricky headed a cross from Pramveer, which hit the hands of Bipin Singh. This led to Punjab winning a penalty, which Ramirez converted.

Samir Zeljkovic – 5/10

Had the pace and initiated some good attacks for the Shers. However, everything looked good until Samir came to the final third, where, somewhere down the line, he was missing his scoring boots. Won some duels and skillfully intercepted the ball. However, despite his involvement, the midfielder was unable to put pressure on the East Bengal players.

Daniel Ramirez – 5/10

Delivered some curling corner kicks into the box, which added to the work of the opponent’s defensive unit. the Stepped up to the occasion, remained composed and sent the keeper the wrong way during the penalty, bringing the scores back to parity. Ramirez was completely silenced by the East Bengal backline in the second half, meaning he was unable to provide any value addition for the Shers.

Vinit Rai – 5/10

Vinit was the first person to test the opponent’s backline during a Punjab FC corner. He did well to control the ball and took a shot at goal, which unfortunately hit the compact East Bengal defence.

Tested his shooting skills, which did not create much trouble for the opponents. Later, as the game progressed, Vinit failed to create any significant impact and was benched just after the first half.

Nsungusi Effiong – 4/10

Did not make many contributions in the first half, as almost all the players’ attempts went to vain. The striker was struggling to keep control of the ball and also committed a couple of unnecessary fouls during multiple instances. In the second half, the same story continued, and one such wasteful foul led to the player being booked by the referee.

Substitutes

Suhail – 4.5/10

Tested the keeper early in the second half. Later, the player did not have much involvement.

Osuji – 5/10

Was lively in the wings and provided some good crosses into the box during the minutes played. Injected the attacking intent and even fired a few counterattacks.

Princeton Rebello – N/A

Bikash Singh – N/A

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