ISL 2024-25: East Bengal FC squad, schedule, fixtures, results

Under Carles Cuadrat’s tactical acumen, Emami East Bengal won the Super Cup last season.

After enduring their unanticipated exit in the Durand Cup 2024, the Kolkata heavyweights, Emami East Bengal, hope to recuperate in the Indian Super League 2024-25 season. They made their ISL debut in the 2020-21 alongside arch-rivals, Mohun Bagan Super Giant who debuted under the moniker ATK Mohun Bagan FC as the team was formed as a result of the merger between the erstwhile ATK FC and the Mohun Bagan Athletic Club.

Since then, Emami’s East Bengal’s quest to win their first-ever ISL silverware continues. However, after a lean debut season, the team has shown signs of improvement in their stature over the past two seasons. It seems they have focused more on team building and tactical depth this time. In Carles Cuadrat’s words, “I came to India in 2016, and in these 7 years of mine in Indian football, this is certainly, one of the best squads without a doubt. Of course, we’ll be under pressure, but football is about facing the pressure and the difficulties.”

This year, they have made some noteworthy signings which include the likes of the ISL 2023-24 Golden Boot winner, Dimitri Diamantakos, Durand Cup 2023 Golden Boot winner, David Lalhlansanga, and Madih Talal, the one who had the greatest number of assists in the ISL 2023-24 season. They have also landed the Indian international and FIFA U17 World Cup 2022 wonder boy, Jeakson Singh on their roster. The defensive midfielder has signed a long, four-year deal with the Kolkata heavyweights.

During the pre-season press conference of Emami East Bengal, Head Coach Carles Cuadrat said, “Last season, the squad did not have enough depth to compete. So, it was a pleasant surprise when we reached the Durand Cup final and won the Super Cup. However, it would not be surprising if we reached the finals of a tournament this time around. Last season, it was more about defending the goal and scoring points. But we now have choices, and we plan to be more attacking and aggressive this season.”

However, the team’s defensive woes can be a matter of concern for Coach Carles Cuadrat and his side after they suffered a defeat against Shillong Lajong FC in the knockouts of the Durand Cup 2024. It will be interesting to see how the gaffer strategizes his team’s defensive third when they take on the field in their opening game against Bengaluru FC at the Sri Kanteerava Stadium on Saturday, September 14, 2024. 

Emami East Bengal Fixtures list – ISL 2024-25 season

• M01 | September 14, 2024 | Bengaluru FC 1 vs 0 Emami East Bengal | 7:30 PM | Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru
• M02 | September 22, 2024 | Kerala Blasters FC vs Emami East Bengal | 7:30 PM | Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi
• M03 | September 27, 2024 | Emami East Bengal vs FC Goa | 7:30 PM | Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan
• M04 | October 05, 2024 |Jamshedpur FC vs Emami East Bengal | 7:30 PM | JRD Tata Sports Complex, Jamshedpur
• M05 | October 19, 2024 | Emami East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan Super Giant | 7:30 PM | Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan
• M06 | October 22, 2024 |Odisha FC vs Emami East Bengal | 7:30 PM | Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar
• M07 | November 09, 2024 | Emami East Bengal vs Mohammedan Sporting Club | 7:30 PM | Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan
• M08 | November 29, 2024 | Emami East Bengal vs NorthEast United FC | 7:30 PM | Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan
• M09 | December 07, 2024 | Chennaiyin FC vs Emami East Bengal | 7:30 PM | Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai
• M10 | December 12, 2024 | Emami East Bengal vs Odisha FC | 7:30 PM | Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan
• M11 | December 17, 2024 | Emami East Bengal vs Punjab FC | 7:30 PM | Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan
• M12 | December 21, 2024 | Emami East Bengal vs Jamshedpur FC | 7:30 PM | Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan
• M13 | December 28, 2024 | Hyderabad FC vs Emami East Bengal | 7:30 PM | G.M.C. Balayogi Athletic Stadium, Hyderabad

East Bengal FC squad for ISL 2024-25

Goalkeepers: Prabhsukhan Singh Gill (13), Kamaljit Singh (1), Debjit Majumder (24), Aditya Patra (27), Julfikar Gazi (50), Ranit Sarkar (75), Kamaludheen AK (51)

Defenders: Lalchungnunga (5), Anwar Ali (4), Hijazi Maher (19), Héctor Yuste (44), Gursimrat Singh Gill (33), Monotosh Chakladar (63), Nishu Kumar, Provat Lakra (3), Mohammed Rakip (12), Sarthak Golui, Edwin Sydney Vanspaul, Harmanjot Khabra (7)

Midfielders: Jeakson Singh (6), Vanlalpeka Guite (30), Gurnaj Singh Grewal (35), Tingku Kangujam (40), Tanmay Das (61), Shyamal Besra (66), Ajad Saheem (80), Souvik Chakrabarti (23), Saúl Crespo (21), Mark Zothanpuia (88), Sayan Banerjee (84), Madih Talal (8), Naorem Mahesh Singh (29)

Forwards: Nandhakumar Sekar (11), Suhair VP (20), Jesin TK (59), Dimitrios Diamantakos (9), Cleiton Silva (10), David Lalhlansanga (14), Vishnu PV (82), CK Aman (62), Avishek Kunjam (70)

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