Jamshedpur FC will hope to capitalise on home advantage and extend their unbeaten run when they welcome Diamond Harbour FC to the JRD Tata Sports Complex on Sunday for the first of two Durand Cup 2025 quarter-finals. While the Men of Steel are looking to maintain their momentum, football supporters in Kolkata will have their eyes fixed on the second fixture, a high-voltage derby between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.
According to information provided by the Indian Super League (ISL), both Jamshedpur and Mohun Bagan head into their respective matches buoyed by a perfect group-stage record. Jamshedpur’s campaign has been characterised by resilience and clinical finishing, as they secured qualification with three straight wins.
Their journey began with a thrilling 3–2 success against Tribhuvan Army FC of Nepal, followed by a hard-fought win over Indian Army FT. They confirmed top spot in the group with a commanding performance against 1 Ladakh FC, cementing their reputation as one of the most organised sides in the competition so far.
Diamond Harbour FC, who qualified as one of the best second-placed teams, enjoyed an encouraging start to the tournament with consecutive victories in their first two matches. However, a heavy defeat to Mohun Bagan in their final outing exposed defensive vulnerabilities the side will need to address quickly if they are to challenge Jamshedpur.
Jamshedpur head coach Scott Cooper has urged his players to remain grounded. “We respect Diamond Harbour and the way they reached the quarter-finals,” he said. “The Durand Cup is unpredictable and we have to be ready to fight for every minute.”
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Attention will then shift to the evening kick-off in Kolkata, where Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal FC will renew one of the oldest rivalries in Indian football. Both teams progressed through the group stage without a single defeat and will arrive in the quarter-finals in impressive form.
Mohun Bagan opened their campaign with a 3–1 victory over Mohammedan SC, before dismantling Border Security Force FT 4–0. The Mariners then produced a dominant display to beat Diamond Harbour FC 5–1, signalling their intention to challenge for the title.
East Bengal, under the guidance of Óscar Bruzón, have looked equally convincing. They began with a 5–0 rout of South United FC, narrowly defeated Namdhari FC, and swept past the Indian Air Force with a 6–1 win in their final group match. Their ability to score freely has caught the eye of supporters and pundits alike, with many expecting a fiercely competitive contest on Sunday.
Mohun Bagan head coach Antonio López Habas said the rivalry itself adds an extra layer of intensity to the quarter-final. “East Bengal have shown their strength in the group stage, but we go into the game with belief in our own abilities. The derby is always special and the players understand what it means,” he said.
Bruzón echoed the sentiment, emphasising the importance of maintaining momentum and playing with discipline. “The derby carries great significance for our supporters. The boys have trained well and we will give everything to reach the semi-finals,” he said.
Local authorities have tightened security at the Salt Lake Stadium and ticket sales remain strong, underlining the level of anticipation surrounding the fixture. Organisers are expecting a near-capacity crowd for the first Kolkata derby of the tournament, with both sets of supporters confident of progressing to the next round.
Goa FC and Kerala Blasters have already secured their places in the semi-finals following wins earlier in the week. The two remaining slots will be filled after Sunday’s matches, setting the stage for an exciting final round of fixtures in the country’s oldest football competition.a
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