Kolkata, 4 March 2026: East Bengal FC prepares to host FC Goa in a key early-season Indian Super League 2025-26 encounter at Kolkata’s Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Thursday evening (5 March 2026) (Kickoff – 5 PM). This will be East Bengal’s fourth consecutive home match in the current edition of the league. The Red & Gold Brigade made a perfect start to their campaign, beating NorthEast United FC (3-0) and SC Delhi (4-1) in their first two outings before suffering a 1-2 defeat to Jamshedpur FC in their third fixture. After occupying the top spot in the first two match weeks, EBFC has slipped to the fifth position with 6 points from 3 matches (goals scored: 8; Goals conceded: 3; goal difference: +5). EBFC’s Spanish forward Youssef Ezzejjari currently leads the league’s scoring charts with four goals, while Brazilian Miguel Figueira and Indian national team attacker Edmund Lalrindika have scored the remaining goals for the Kolkata-based club, having found the net twice each.
The Red & Gold Brigade has shown consistent scoring form at the VYBK, netting in their last six ISL matches at this venue. FC Goa, meanwhile, sits third in the league table with 7 points from 3 matches (2 wins and a draw). Their campaign opened with a 1-1 draw against Inter Kashi FC, followed by successive clean sheet victories: 2-0 against Mohammedan SC and 1-0 against SC Delhi. Serbian forward Dejan Drazic is currently the Gaurs’ leading scorer in the tournament, with 3 goals in 3 games. The last time the two sides met each other was in the AIFF Super Cup final at Goa’s Fatorda Stadium on 7 December 2025, where EBFC missed out on the silverware on penalties (5-6).
Addressing the media at the pre-match press conference, East Bengal FC head coach Oscar Bruzon said, “Playing at home demands responsibility, especially after the disappointing defeat last week. FC Goa is a structured, competitive side with a clear game idea and identity, great players, quality in key areas, and a coach I admire. Hence, the margin for error will be minimal. If we want to win the 3 points here, we must perform at the highest level from the first minute. We respect the opponent, but we trust our work, our preparation, and our character in front of our fans.”
East Bengal FC midfielder Mohammed Rashid commented, “This season we have only thirteen matches. It’s a new day and a new challenge for us. We are going game by game, step by step. We need to forget the previous result – irrespective of whether we win or lose – and focus on the target in front of us.” The match can be streamed live on the FanCode app and will be broadcast on television on the Sony Sports Ten 2 channel.
