For the fourth consecutive season since entering the ISL, East Bengal FC failed to make it to the playoffs coming narrowly close this time but falling just three points short. However, the club grabbed a priceless reward in clinching the Super Cup which ended their 12-year-wait drought for a major title and also helped them return to AFC club competition after 2015. The miraculous turnaround was crafted by Ex-ISL winning coach Carles Cuadrat who crafted the most successful season for the Red and Gold since joining this league. Next season the Torch Bearers aim to be successful in the new AFC Challenge League competition and finally achieve their goal of a top-six finish in the ISL.
East Bengal went for massive changes in their squad by making star-studded signings this summer. Last season’s top assist maker Madih Talal, Shield-winning defender Hector Yuste and Golden Boot winner Dimitrios Diamantakos signed for the foreign contingent and Indian national team stars like Jeakson Singh and Anwar Ali with the future talent David Lalhansanga make the team a lot more competitive than the previous terms. The Kolkata giants faced some disappointments early in the season by getting knocked out of the Durand Cup and failing to qualify for the AFC Champions League 2 hoping to bounce back soon.
It will be a challenging start to the 11th ISL season for Cuadrat’s side as they make two daunting trips to the south of the country. They face Bengaluru FC in their opening match on 14 September 2024 at Kanteerava Stadium before travelling to Kochi to face Kerala Blasters. Last season’s title contender FC Goa will be another strong outfit to face in the first home game later that month. The first Kolkata derby with arch-rivals Mohun Bagan falls on 19 October and it is followed by two crucial fixtures, a Kalinga Super Cup final rematch with Odisha FC at Bhubaneshwar and a clash with the other giants from the city Mohammedan Sporting.
Important matches
Saturday 14 September 2024
Bengaluru FC vs East Bengal - Kanteerava Stadium, Bangalore (19:30)
Saturday 19 October 2024
East Bengal FC vs Mohun Bagan Super Giant - Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata (19:30)
Tuesday, 22 October 2024
Odisha FC vs East Bengal FC - Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar (19:30)
Saturday 9 November 2024
East Bengal FC vs Mohammedan SC - Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata (19:30)
Thursday 12 December 2024
East Bengal FC vs Odisha FC - Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata (19:30)
September 2024
Saturday 14 September 2024
Bengaluru FC vs East Bengal - Kanteerava Stadium, Bangalore (19:30)
Sunday 22 September 2024
Kerala Blasters FC vs East Bengal FC - Kaloor Stadium, Kochi (19:30)
Friday, 27 September 2024
East Bengal FC vs FC Goa - Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata (19:30)
October 2024
Saturday 5 October 2024
Jamshedpur FC vs East Bengal FC - JRD Tata Sports Complex, Jamshedpur (17:00)
Saturday 19 October 2024
East Bengal FC vs Mohun Bagan Super Giant - Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata (19:30)
Tuesday, 22 October 2024
Odisha FC vs East Bengal FC - Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar (19:30)
November 2024
Saturday 9 November 2024
East Bengal FC vs Mohammedan SC - Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata (19:30)
Friday, 29 November 2024
East Bengal FC vs NorthEast United FC - Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata (19:30)
December 2024
Saturday 7 December 2024
Chennaiyin FC vs East Bengal FC - Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai (17:00)
Thursday 12 December 2024
East Bengal FC vs Odisha FC - Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata (19:30)
Tuesday, 17 December 2024
East Bengal FC vs Punjab FC - Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata (19:30)
Saturday 21 December 2024
East Bengal FC vs Jamshedpur FC - Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata (19:30)
Saturday 28 December 2024
Hyderabad FC vs East Bengal FC - G.M.C. Balayogi Athletic Stadium, Hyderabad (17:00)
East Bengal Fixtures for AFC Challenge League 2024/25
26 October 2024
East Bengal vs Paro FC
29 October 2024
Bashundhara Kings vs East Bengal
1 November 2024
East Bengal vs Nejmeh SC
International break fixtures
Tri-Nation Cup
9 October 2024
Vietnam vs India
12 October 2024
Lebanon vs India
