East Bengal Raih Gelar Perdana Indian Super League 2025-2026

East Bengal berhasil merengkuh trofi Indian Super League (ISL) musim 2025-2026 untuk pertama kalinya sepanjang sejarah klub setelah memetik kemenangan 2-1 atas Inter Kashi pada laga terakhir yang berlangsung serentak pada Kamis, 21 Mei 2026.

Keberhasilan ini mengakhiri dahaga gelar kompetisi kasta tertinggi sepak bola putra selama 22 tahun bagi East Bengal, sekaligus menandai akhir dari musim ISL ke-11 yang berjalan ketat.

Sistem kompetisi ISL musim ini mengalami pemotongan durasi karena keterlambatan jadwal mulai, sehingga setiap tim hanya memainkan 13 pertandingan tanpa babak playoff Cup, melainkan langsung menggunakan format liga tradisional.

Sebelum laga pamungkas bergulir, East Bengal memimpin klasemen dengan keunggulan selisih gol dari juara bertahan Mohun Bagan, disusul oleh Punjab FC dan Mumbai City FC yang mengintai di peringkat berikutnya dengan selisih satu poin.

Pertandingan krusial lain mempertemukan sesama penantang gelar, Punjab FC melawan Mumbai City FC, di Stadion Jawaharlal Nehru, New Delhi, yang berakhir tanpa hasil maksimal bagi keduanya karena East Bengal sukses mengamankan poin penuh.

Pelatih Kepala Mumbai City FC, Petr Kratky, sempat menyampaikan kondisi timnya yang harus fokus penuh pada pemulihan fisik dan mental menjelang laga penentu tersebut akibat jadwal yang sangat padat.

"The main focus after the last game was recovery and regrouping because it has been a short turnaround for us after our previous away fixture. Now the attention is fully on our final game of the season and making sure the team is physically and mentally ready for the challenge," ujar Petr Kratky, Kepala Pelatih Mumbai City FC.

Kratky menambahkan bahwa para pemainnya tetap termotivasi tinggi untuk meraih kemenangan meskipun kondisi cuaca di Delhi sangat panas dan lawan yang dihadapi merupakan tim yang kuat.

"We know what is at stake and we know we need to win, so our focus is very clear. The team is motivated and ready to fight. Punjab FC are a strong side and the conditions will also be demanding, so we have to be fully prepared in every aspect if we want to get the result," cetus Petr Kratky, Kepala Pelatih Mumbai City FC.

Mengenai tekanan besar di laga penentu juara tersebut, Kratky memandang hal itu sebagai sebuah privilese bagi tim yang bersaing di papan atas sepak bola.

"Pressure is a privilege for teams competing at the top because it means we are fighting for something important. My responsibility is to make sure the players are prepared physically, mentally, and tactically. At the end, it comes down to execution and attitude on matchday. The team that shows greater desire and mentality will give itself the best chance to win," kata Petr Kratky, Kepala Pelatih Mumbai City FC.

Ia juga menegaskan bahwa timnya tidak memiliki beban dalam pertandingan terakhir tersebut dan harus memberikan segalanya di atas lapangan.

"We know what’s at stake, we need to win and we have to prepare accordingly to that. So as I said, the team is ready, they want to fight and we will see what happens. Obviously we know Delhi will be very hot so we have to be extremely well prepared for the conditions and obviously Punjab is a very good team," jelas Petr Kratky, Kepala Pelatih Mumbai City FC.

Kratky kembali mengingatkan anak asuhnya untuk bertarung habis-habisan demi meraih hasil terbaik.

"It's the last one. The winner takes all basically. So again, as I said, for me, we just have to fight. We just have to work and nothing to lose. Can't be anything left on the pitch," tegas Petr Kratky, Kepala Pelatih Mumbai City FC.

Gelandang Mumbai City FC, Zothanpuia, mengutarakan hal positif mengenai proses adaptasi serta atmosfer internal tim yang solid menjelang laga penutup musim.

"Joining the club has been a huge learning experience for me. The coaches, staff, and teammates have supported me from day one and helped me improve both as a player and as a person. The team has prepared very well and everyone is focused on this game. The atmosphere within the group is very positive and we are ready to give our best and fight for the three points," tutur Zothanpuia, Gelandang Mumbai City FC.

Zothanpuia juga memberikan apresiasi kepada sang pelatih yang dinilai sukses menjaga mentalitas bertanding seluruh skuad.

"Our coach has played an important role in building confidence within the team. He always trusts and supports the players and his communication helps us to stay," sambung Zothanpuia, Gelandang Mumbai City FC.

Di kubu lawan, Pelatih Kepala Punjab FC, Panagiotis Dilmperis, mencoba mengalihkan tekanan dari anak asuhnya dengan fokus penuh pada proses permainan daripada kalkulasi poin di klasemen.

"Last day, a lot of teams, a lot of possibilities, a lot of scenarios that anyone can be champion. We try to approach this game like all the others. And I think that pushes the pressure away from the team," ucap Panagiotis Dilmperis, Kepala Pelatih Punjab FC.

Dilmperis juga mengakui standar tinggi yang dimiliki klubnya dan menegaskan bahwa mereka tidak akan puas hanya dengan finis di posisi kedua.

"When I signed in this club, I knew how demanding this club is. I love this kind of demanding because finally it means you are in the biggest club in India. We cannot be happy finishing in the second position," imbuh Panagiotis Dilmperis, Kepala Pelatih Punjab FC.

Pemain sayap Punjab FC, Ninthoi Meetei, mengutarakan tekadnya untuk bangkit mengalahkan nasib buruk akibat cedera atau kendala teknis demi berkontribusi maksimal di bawah arahan sang pelatih.

"I must say that it's a really hard time going on for me and it's bad timing and very bad luck I must say. But I am not giving up from inside," tukas Ninthoi Meetei, Pemain Sayap Punjab FC.

Meetei menyatakan kepuasannya terhadap kepemimpinan pelatih yang memberikan dorongan moral yang tinggi kepadanya musim ini.

"I know this year I am so satisfied with the coach. He gives me more confidence. I know I am going to work hard," pungkas Ninthoi Meetei, Pemain Sayap Punjab FC.

Dengan selesainya seluruh rangkaian pertandingan, East Bengal resmi dinobatkan sebagai jawara baru Indian Super League, mencatatkan nama mereka dalam daftar sejarah kompetisi sepak bola tertinggi di India tersebut.