East Bengal wins ISL – Bhaichung Bhutia praises Red-and-Gold as club completes much-awaited coronation

East Bengal ended their 22-year wait for the men’s title as they clinched the Indian Super League (ISL) title at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Thursday.

The Red and Gold Brigade needed a win to secure the trophy, but Inter Kashi almost denied it when Alfred Planas opened the scoring in front of a packed stand.

However, Oscar Bruzon’s men refused to lay down their weapons and made a stunning comeback. Youssef Ezzejjari equalized five minutes after the restart before Mohammed Rashid poked home the winner in the 73rd minute, causing pandemonium among the visiting fans with a 2-1 win.

When the whistle blew, the fans rushed onto the pitch – decades of pain had finally turned to joy.

The last time East Bengal won the top flight was in 2004, when Bhaichung Bhutia scored the opener in the 3-0 win over Indian Bank. Two decades later, the Sikkim sniper, now an elderly man, sat restlessly in his sports arena in Siliguri.

He no longer had the boots on his feet, but his heart still had the red and gold crest.

«It was very tense because there were four to five teams participating in the title race. I was watching with my son and some friends. We were all rooting for East Bengal and (we were) very nervous,» said Bhutia. Sports stars.

The former India captain spent almost nine seasons in East Bengal and won 19 trophies with the Red and Gold Brigade. It has been eleven years since he last wore the team’s jersey as a player. But he still calls East Bengal ‘us’.

«We were one goal down and came back strong. I think the players showed character by coming back because in these types of games there is so much pressure playing in Kolkata and if you go down it makes it even more difficult in the first half,» Bhaichung added.

The former East Bengal striker was full of praise for Bruzon. The Spaniard took over East Bengal in October 2024 when they were at the bottom of the standings. Nineteen months later they are champions of India.

«Oscar has done a great job with the team. I think he must be very proud that he has won the National League after many, many years and (I am) very happy as an East Bengal fan,» Bhaichung added.

«I think clubs like East Bengal have to be there every season, to win the season or challenge for the title. We missed it for a long time, but I think the entire management, everyone in the club, played a big role in achieving this trophy.»

East Bengal, one of India’s most decorated football clubs, joined the ISL in 2020 but struggled to make an impact until this season. In the past five seasons, the highest result was ninth place. After two decades of drift, Bhaichung feels his East Bengal is finally looking like a club that belongs at the top again.

«The first (ISL title) is always difficult, and I think they have done this. From next year we will be there as a top club to fight for the championship,» he said.

Published on May 21, 2026