Oscar Bruzon delighted after East Bengal’s win over NorthEast United FC in ISL 2025-26

East Bengal FC starts 2025-26 ISL campaign with a win.

East Bengal FC produced a dominant performance as they defeated NorthEast United FC 3-0 to move to the top of the table of the Indian Super League.

A night to remember for Youssef Ezzejjari who scored a brace on his debut as East Bengal FC claimed a 3-0 win over NorthEast United FC to kick off 2025-26 Indian Super League (ISL) in style.

Miguel Figueira also scored a goal on his ISL debut for East Bengal at the Salt Lake Stadium, ensuring that East Bengal start the ISL campaign with a clean sheet. This is also the first time that the Red and Gold Brigade have started their ISL campaign with a win in the first match since their inception into the league.

Despite seeing his side get a comprehensive win, Oscar Bruzon don’t want to think about winning the trophy right now.

After the game, Oscar said: “Congratulations to the entire team, that for the first time in the history of the ISL we’ve got all the three points in the first match. But it is also true that this year in the Super Cup we drew against the weakest team of the group Dempo, and in the AFC Challenge League last year we draw against the weakest team of the group Paro. So, this is about the mental things that finally worked in our favor. Not only the win but the performance of the players looks promising.

Oscar stated, “I don’t want to tell all these things in the press-conference but still there is excitement in the dressing room. As I have told you that we’re happy and East Bengal is a historic club and the fans are only talking about trophies. But as a team first of all we need to improve and overcome that ninth position finish since the last five seasons of the ISL. Secondly, we need to target to finish in the top half of the table, may be fifth or sixth position. And in the third step if we achieve all these before the FIFA International break in March after playing half of the season, seeing our position in the league, then only we can talk about the end of the season and other additional objectives. But right now, I don’t want anyone in the group to talk about the favourites, winning the league as all these are not on the line what we are working towards.”

Views on Youssef Ezzejjari’s debut performance

The Spaniard said it was great to see East Bengal FC finally have a proper number nine in Youssef Ezzejjari. He praised his two goals, sharp movement, strong hold-up play, and defensive effort, adding that the team’s plan to supply him worked well, though they still need to work more with him.

“This is after a long time that East Bengal got a classic number nine. I am happy that he has scored not only once but twice, played really well against the wall and was swift in his movement. He is a perfect number nine for us as he has also shown his commitment to the defense. The team planned to supply the balls to Youssef so that he could score the goals for us, which worked properly, and he has equipped the team well within this short time, but we need to work with him more in the coming days.”

East Bengal witnessed NorthEast United FC create a large chunk of their chances from the left-wing role, exploiting their central-midfield position.

Upon being questioned if this is a reason for concern for the Red and Gold Brigade, the Spaniard stated, “I need to praise my opponent; they are a very good side. In the first half, they were creating a lot of chances through Andy dropping back and creating the build-ups, but in the second half, we marked him with a man, which created more chances for us. We were shuffling really well, pressing high, blocking their build-ups and covering the ball much higher on the pitch.”

“But remember NorthEast are the current Durand Cup holders and the top three teams from the last season. They are missing some of their key players like Alaaeddine Ajaraie but at the same it is also true that we have also missed key players like Kevin in the foreign contingent, Rakip and Mahesh in the Indian contingent. So, our team can only improve from today’s performance,” he also added.

Bruzon’s views on the defense line and the bench strength

The coach praised Jeakson’s strong all-round performance in defence for East Bengal FC, highlighting his role in build-up play, creating the second goal, and solid marking. He added that despite strong competition at Centre-back, Jeakson earned his place after impressing against Mohammedan SC.

“Jeakson is a player who faces the game from the back, you saw what he did today. He was involved in the runs, creating a chance from the left for the second goal, was very good in defense, committed and was marking really well inside the box. I think he is enjoying his workload as a central defender currently, because we have a lot of options in this position this year, like Lalchungnunga Martand and Jay. But the way he played in the friendly match against Mohammedan, we went with him.”

“Yes, Jay didn’t play properly since July last year, and he is a proven player in the ISL. If he gets more gametime and returns to his full fitness, then you will see more from a player like him in the defense. In the second half, Anwar and Rashid were making more runs and showed their commitment both in the defense and in the attack. This is a message to our opponents that we are an unpredictable side in attacking. Miguel also made a few runs in the first half, and thankfully, he got the goal in the second half.”

“So, I am very happy with our defenders, but happier with our whole defense line. We as a team have different plans for defending and attacking this year with a strong reserve bench, because of which we got a positive result in the first match of the ISL despite all the injuries,” he further added.

Oscar’s message for the fans and the update on the signing of the sixth foreigner.

Finally, Oscar sent his message to the East Bengal fans:

“From this press conference, I want to thank all the fans who came today in large numbers, although it was Monday, a working day. But I will request all the fans to come again on Saturday in large numbers and support us because you guys are the biggest strength of this team, and without you guys, we can’t achieve that pride and glory. We need your support; then only can we consider ourselves as one of the favorites of the tournament,”

“I feel you already know the name, but I will not tell anything about the sixth foreigner now as there is no official confirmation from the club yet, but he will be there very soon,” he finished off.

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