SC Delhi vs East Bengal Match Details
Date: 19 August 2026
Kick-off Time: 19:30
Venue: Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata
SC Delhi vs East Bengal Match Preview
SC Delhi has quite a Durand Cup campaign to remember. Tomasz Tchorz's men returned as the highest scorer of the competition in the group stages by smashing 16 goals and conceding only once in the tournament opener in the 2-1 comeback victory against Jamshedpur FC. It was followed by a 7-0 mauling of Defenders FC, where summer signing Rodriguinho netted a stunning five goals, and then a 7-1 thrashing of the Indian Air Force Football Team.
Their goal scoring monstrosity helped them win their group with flying colors, and it continued in the quarterfinal stage, but they had to battle adversity first. Facing I-League 2 side FC Ragendai, a surprise package of the tournament, the side that made their debut in the ISL only last season fell behind as early as the ninth minute from a wonder strike. This was not something new for the team, which has fought back from going down early before, and it was a power pack comeback.
The introduction of India U-23 forward Joseph Sunny completely changed the dynamic as the former Hyderabad FC player hit a quick-fire brace in the second half. Golden Boot chaser Rodriguinho then got into the act before another new arrival, Juan Pena, and Augustine Lalrochana scored a piece in the stoppage time to complete a 5-1 rout. It was an inspiring result that they book their spot in the quarterfinal stage in their debut Durand Cup campaign. Tchorz's side now knows they are just a game away from reaching the Durand Cup final, which will be another extraordinary achievement after their resilient showing in ISL.
However, they will cross roads with second most winners of the trophy with 16,
East Bengal FC in the last eight stage. The Red and Gold are one of the favourites for the honor this season and thrashed their opponents 4-1 in the ISL meeting earlier this year amid coming back from behind. Antonio Lopez Habas will fancy a similar performance here after bouncing back from the 1-0
Kolkata derby defeat to city rivals
Mohun Bagan Super Giant, where they could have easily got a draw, to start his era at the club.
The Red and Gold showed a resilient nature of themselves akin to Habas, who sided with the taste of goals from then one humbling CISF Protectors 8-0 and then South United 5-0 to qualify for the quarterfinal stage as one of the best runners-up sides. However, in the last eight, they had to face a stiff resistance from the physically apt Indian Army side, who has been notorious for upsetting the odds in the Durand Cup.
East Bengal made a catalogue of changes for the tie due to the AFC Champions League 2 preliminary stage game earlier in the week that dragged on till extra time. Habas's men won the tie against the Kuwaiti side Al-Arabi 4-1 coming from behind, so it was difficult to hit the gears with a changed side in the quarterfinal tie just days later. Yet, the Kolkata giants found an opening through their tricky winger PV Vishnu to grind out a 1-0 victory, which was not without controversy, as a penalty call was not given controversially after new recruit Phurba Lachenpa, starting in place of Prabhsukhan Gill, seemed to clip an Army player inside the box. However, East Bengal expects to get back to their best playing their A team in the semifinal tie and fancy their chances of entering the Durand Cup final after failing to do so in the last two years.
SC Delhi vs East Bengal Team News
SC Delhi
Nora Fernandes, Ashutosh Mehta, Gogou, Duvan Vifara, Manoj Muhammed, Lalrinliana Hnamte, Juan Pena, Mohammad Azhar, Mohammad Aimen, Rodriguinho, and Joseph Sunny
East Bengal
Prabhsukhan Gill, Hardik Bhatt, Anwar Ali, Sandip Mandi, Jay Gupta, Boris Singh, Mohammed Rashid, Edmund Lalrindika, Christopher Ikonomidis, Dani Ramirez, and David Hmar
SC Delhi vs East Bengal Match Prediction
SC Delhi has a ruthless firepower inspired by their new signing Rodriguinho, who has already bagged a tournament high seven goals in three games he has featured in. That scoring rate will strike fear into any defense. However, East Bengal has learned toughness and a never-die attitude under Antonio Habas in these few days, having conceded just one goal so far.
After failing to get into the showpiece since 2023 and not lifting the trophy for 21 years, the pressure will be immense if the campaign ends here, which will not be a good look for their first ISL title defense in the upcoming season. This game is expected to be an edgy one with a lot in line, but East Bengal has what it takes to triumph in this situation. The defensive pair of Anwar Ali and Sandip Malik has worked excellently despite the team lacking a foreign contingent in the position, as their new arrival, Nacho Monslave, is battling an injury. It is unlikely they will crumble here.
FT: SC Delhi 1-2 East Bengal
