Kerala Blasters Defeat Defending Champions East Bengal 2-0 in Kalinga Super Cup Opener

Defending champions East Bengal FC were eliminated from the Kalinga Super Cup 2025 after a 2-0 defeat to Kerala Blasters FC in the Round of 16 at the Kalinga Stadium on Sunday.

Kerala Blasters, who took a 1-0 lead into halftime, scored through Spanish striker Jesus Jimenez Nunez (40’ penalty) and Moroccan forward Noah Wali Sadaoui (64’), ensuring their place in the quarter-finals, where they will face Mohun Bagan SG on April 26, 2025.

The match began cautiously with both teams focused on midfield control rather than attacking play. Despite a few chances, including a second-minute opportunity for Jimenez and an eighth-minute miss from East Bengal’s Richard Enrique Celis, the game remained scoreless for much of the first half.

The breakthrough came in the 40th minute when a penalty was awarded to Kerala Blasters after a foul on Sadaoui. Jimenez, who initially missed the penalty, was given a second chance after East Bengal goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Singh Gill was deemed to have stepped off his line. Jimenez converted the retake, putting Kerala in the lead.

East Bengal’s hopes were further dashed in the 64th minute when Sadaoui scored a stunning goal from outside the box, dodging two defenders and launching a powerful left-footed shot past Gill into the net.

The goal effectively sealed the game, with Kerala Blasters’ defense holding firm as East Bengal struggled to create opportunities in the final stages.

East Bengal, who finished in 9th place in the recent ISL season, will have to regroup as they exit the tournament, while Kerala Blasters look ahead to their quarter-final clash against Mohun Bagan SG, who are in strong form after winning both the ISL Shield and Cup.