East Bengal to face South United in Durand Cup Group A finale at Salt Lake on 7 August 2026
East Bengal will meet South United in their final Group A match of the Durand Cup at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on 7 August 2026. The result will determine whether East Bengal remain in contention for a place in the knockout rounds.
The tournament advances the top team from each group plus the two best runners-up to the knockout stage, leaving East Bengal’s qualification hopes dependent on a convincing result in this fixture. East Bengal go into the game on the back of an 8-0 victory over CISF Protectors, a match that featured a hattrick from PV Vishnu, a brace from Jessin TK in his first senior appearance this season, goals from Bipin Singh and Jeakson Singh, and an own goal. New signings from Mumbai City FC, including Hardik Bhatt and Phurba Lachenpa, were noted for their performances in that win under head coach Antonio Lopez Habas.
East Bengal’s midfield shape is evolving with the Dani Ramirez–Mohammed Rashid pairing gaining minutes under Habas, and the coach may increase game time for Nacho Monsalve, Narender Gahlot and new frontline recruit Chris Ikonomidis in this match. The club’s task is to reproduce the attacking output and defensive discipline shown against CISF Protectors to keep alive realistic knockout hopes. The match is also the final competitive outing before East Bengal host Al-Arabi SC in the AFC Champions League Two 2026–27 Preliminary Stage at the same stadium, a one-off playoff whose winner will qualify for the group stage of that competition.
South United began the Durand Cup with a win over CISF Protectors but suffered an 8-0 defeat to the Mariners in their second group game, leaving them with an urgent requirement for a positive result against East Bengal. The Bengaluru club will need to maintain defensive organization and convert chances to remain in contention; a loss would eliminate them from the tournament. Rishik Shetty, who scored the opening goal in the 65th minute from a set-piece in South United’s win over CISF Protectors, is expected to marshal their backline.
Individual matchups to watch include East Bengal’s front three of Jessin TK, PV Vishnu and Edmund Lalrindika against South United’s defence led by centre-back Rishik Shetty. The preview notes PV Vishnu as a 26-year-old Kerala-born forward known for intelligent movement, direct running and a preference for his left foot, capable of playing across the frontline and contributing out of possession. Rishik Shetty is described as a 31-year-old centre-back with aerial strength and set-piece threat; he has already scored once in this competition.
East Bengal named the following probable XI: Phurba Lachenpa (GK), Hardik Bhatt, Lalchungnunga, Anwar Ali, Sandip Mandi, Mohammed Rashid, Dani Ramirez, Jeakson Singh, Edmund Lalrindika, Jessin TK, PV Vishnu. South United’s likely lineup is listed as: Sunil Singh (GK), Rowan, Rishik Shetty, Noel S, B Abhiram, Rinshid, Rithish, Mustafa Shaikh, Md. Altab Hussain, Shogohou, Makkamayum Daniyal. The preview states East Bengal have no injury concerns and South United should have a fully fit squad available for the match.
The game kicks off at 7 PM IST and will be broadcast live on Sony Ten 2 and streamed on Sony LIV. Viewers in India can follow the match on those platforms.
A victory for East Bengal would preserve their chance of progressing from Group A into the knockout rounds, while a win for South United would keep their own qualification hopes alive and a defeat would eliminate them; the fixture is immediately followed by East Bengal’s AFC Champions League Two preliminary playoff against Al-Arabi SC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, with the winner advancing to that competition’s group stage.