East Bengal FC Secures Gritty Comeback Win in IFA Shield Opener

East Bengal FC began their IFA Shield campaign with a resilient performance, overcoming an early deficit to defeat Calcutta Customs Club 3-1 on September 24, 2026. The match, played at the East Bengal Ground in Kolkata, showcased the "Red-and-Gold Brigade's" ability to fight back under challenging conditions to secure a victory in their Group A opener [1].

Match Breakdown: East Bengal FC vs Calcutta Customs

The game started poorly for East Bengal, as they struggled in the mud and conceded a goal in the 12th minute. Riki Hembram broke the deadlock for Calcutta Customs after beating three defenders to find the bottom corner [1].

The comeback began in the 29th minute when Rohit Kumar headed in a corner from Boris Singh to equalize. East Bengal took the lead in the 52nd minute through Rohit Danu, who scored from a cross by Akash Hembram. The victory was sealed in the 85th minute when Akash Hembram converted a cross from Mohamed Bilal [1].

Goal Summary: EBFC 3-1 Calcutta Customs

Minute	Scorer	Team	Action
12'	Riki Hembram	Calcutta Customs	Solo run past three defenders
29'	Rohit Kumar	East Bengal FC	Header from Boris Singh's corner
52'	Rohit Danu	East Bengal FC	First-time shot from Akash Hembram's cross
85'	Akash Hembram	East Bengal FC	Finish from Mohamed Bilal's cross

Contrast in Form: East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan SG

While East Bengal FC's start was defined by grit and a comeback, their arch-rivals and defending champions, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, displayed sheer dominance. On September 23, 2026, the "Mariners" thrashed Sreenidi Deccan 6-0 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan [3].

Mohun Bagan's victory was powered by a hat-trick from Lalengmawia Chhangte, with additional goals from Abhishek Suryavanshi, Sandeep Malik, and Lee Erwin [2]. Despite missing several regulars due to national duty, Mohun Bagan's aggressive attacking intent stood in stark contrast to the hard-fought nature of East Bengal's opening win.