East Bengal FC Kicks Off ISL 2026-27 Campaign Against Churchill Brothers in Goa

Madgaon, October 17 (Daily Kiran) : East Bengal FC is set to launch its Indian Super League (ISL) 2026-27 season against Churchill Brothers FC Goa on Sunday at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa. This matchup is highly anticipated due to the longstanding rivalry between the two teams, promising an exciting contest. As the defending champions, East Bengal aims to start the season with a victory and kick off their title defense on a positive note.

Churchill Brothers enter this match following a 2-1 victory over Mumbai City FC in their opening ISL match. Meanwhile, East Bengal, fresh from competing in continental and cup tournaments, is eager to begin their domestic campaign. Churchill Brothers showcased their strength in their first match, with Gaurav Bora scoring the opening goal and Colombian striker Sebastián Gutiérrez sealing the win in the dying moments.

Despite the win, head coach Dimitris Dimitriou expressed that there is room for improvement in the team’s performance. He stated, “Of course, we won. We secured the first three points, but there is still much room for improvement. We have worked hard and analyzed our game. I believe we will play even better football on Sunday.”

For East Bengal, this match marks the start of their title defense in the league. The team has welcomed several new players, including goalkeeper Furba Lachenpa, midfielder Dani Ramírez, Australian attacker Chris Economides, forward A.K. Loba, and Polish striker Lukasz Zwolinski. Under coach Antonio Lopez Habas, the team has been busy with both domestic and continental competitions. Recently, they faced a tough 3-2 loss to Iraq’s Al-Shorta in the AFC Champions League II, with David Lalhhlansanga scoring both goals for East Bengal.

Habas anticipates a challenging encounter against the Goa side but is focused on securing three points. He remarked, “This is a tough match between us and a dangerous team. Our goal is to achieve three points. We respect them, but we need to elevate our level of play.”

This clash brings together two clubs with a shared history in the National Football League and I-League. Their last meeting in February 2020 ended in a 1-1 draw. The upcoming match will mark their first encounter in the ISL, adding a new chapter to their rivalry.

Additionally, this match offers a unique opportunity for Provat Lakra, who will face his former club East Bengal after transferring to Churchill Brothers. The home team will look to leverage their home advantage, while the reigning champions are determined to secure all three points.