East Bengal’s Durand Cup journey came to a heartbreaking end on August 20, as debutants Diamond Harbour FC shocked them 2-1 in the semi-final at Salt Lake.
The Kolkata giants, fresh from their derby win over Mohun Bagan Super Giants, entered the match as heavy favourites. For much of the night, they dominated possession, created chances, and looked in control. But football is never about numbers alone—it is about moments, and Diamond Harbour grabbed theirs when it mattered.
The turnaround in Kolkata
The breakthrough came in the 66th minute when Mikel Kortazar Idialkez reacted quickest to a rebound, acrobatically slotting in to hand Diamond Harbour a stunning lead. The shock barely settled before East Bengal’s Anwar Ali produced a thunderous equaliser from distance, sparking fresh hope among the home supporters.
It seemed like East Bengal were back on track, but the debutants had other plans.
Familiar faces deliver heartbreak
Diamond Harbour’s goalkeeper, Mirshad Michu—once part of East Bengal himself—was unbeatable on the night. Time and again, he frustrated the Red and Gold attackers, keeping his side alive under immense pressure.
But the final dagger came from another familiar name. Joby Justin, once East Bengal’s rising star, struck late to seal a 2-1 victory for Diamond Harbour, ending his former club’s dream run in the cruelest fashion.
A debut campaign to remember
For East Bengal, the semi-final loss was bitter, especially after a promising campaign that had reignited hopes of silverware. For Diamond Harbour, however, this was a night for history books—their very first Durand Cup campaign now carries the scalp of one of India’s oldest football giants.
The shock result ensured that the Durand Cup 2025 would be remembered not just for Kolkata’s derby drama, but also for the fairytale run of Diamond Harbour FC.