East Bengal Raih Gelar Juara Indian Super League 2025&2026

Klub sepak bola East Bengal berhasil mengunci gelar juara perdana mereka dalam kompetisi Indian Super League (ISL) musim 2025-2026 pada Kamis, 21 Mei 2026. Kepastian tersebut didapat setelah tim memetik kemenangan tipis 2-1 atas Inter Kashi pada laga terakhir yang menentukan.

Pencapaian ini sekaligus mengakhiri dahaga gelar kasta tertinggi sepak bola putra yang telah berlangsung selama 22 tahun bagi East Bengal, sebagaimana dilansir dari Sportstar. Kompetisi musim ini dipastikan berjalan tanpa babak playoff atau final akibat jadwal yang tertunda, sehingga penentuan juara langsung diambil dari posisi puncak klasemen akhir.

Kemenangan East Bengal otomatis menutup peluang bagi Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Punjab FC, Mumbai City FC, dan Jamshedpur FC untuk merebut trofi. Sebelum rangkaian pertandingan penutup dimulai, lima tim tersebut masih memiliki peluang matematis karena ketatnya selisih poin di papan atas klasemen.

East Bengal memimpin klasemen akhir dengan koleksi 26 poin dari 13 pertandingan, unggul selisih gol dari juara bertahan Mohun Bagan yang mengumpulkan poin sama di posisi kedua. Sementara itu, Bengaluru FC tertahan di peringkat ketiga dengan 23 poin karena sudah menyelesaikan seluruh pertandingan mereka.

Persaingan sengit juga sempat tersaji di Stadion Atletik Indira Gandhi, New Delhi, yang mempertemukan Punjab FC dan Mumbai City FC. Kedua tim tersebut sama-sama mengemas 22 poin sebelum pertandingan penentu tersebut digelar.

Sebelum pertandingan krusial tersebut berlangsung, Pelatih Kepala Mumbai City FC, Petr Kratky, memfokuskan timnya pada pemulihan fisik pemain karena jadwal padat setelah pertandingan tandang sebelumnya membuat waktu persiapan menjadi sangat singkat.

"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, Pelatih Kepala Mumbai City.

Kratky menyadari kekuatan Punjab FC serta tantangan cuaca panas di Delhi yang menuntut kesiapan taktis yang matang dari segala aspek permainan.

"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," kata Petr Kratky, Pelatih Kepala Mumbai City.

Mengenai beban berat yang dihadapi anak asuhnya menjelang laga penentu juara, Kratky menganggap situasi tersebut sebagai sebuah kehormatan bagi tim papan atas.

"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," ucap Petr Kratky, Pelatih Kepala Mumbai City.

Pelatih asal Republik Ceko tersebut mengingatkan timnya untuk memberikan seluruh energi tanpa beban dalam laga pamungkas tersebut.

"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," ungkap Petr Kratky, Pelatih Kepala Mumbai City.

Kratky menutup komentarnya dengan menegaskan bahwa pertarungan di lapangan harus diselesaikan dengan kerja keras yang maksimal.

"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, Pelatih Kepala Mumbai City.

Di kubu yang sama, gelandang Mumbai City FC, Zothanpuia, merefleksikan suasana positif dalam tim setelah ia berhasil mencetak gol perdananya di ISL pada laga sebelumnya.

"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.

Zothanpuia juga memuji peran krusial sang pelatih kepala dalam menyuntikkan kepercayaan diri serta menjaga komunikasi yang baik dengan para pemain.

"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," ujar Zothanpuia, Gelandang Mumbai City.

Sementara itu, Pelatih Kepala Punjab FC, Panagiotis Dilmperis, memilih untuk mengabaikan kalkulasi rumit di tabel klasemen dan menginstruksikan para pemainnya untuk menganggap laga ini seperti pertandingan biasa guna mereduksi tekanan.

"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, Pelatih Kepala Punjab FC.

Dilmperis mengakui ekspektasi tinggi yang diemban sejak awal menangani klub barunya tersebut dan menegaskan identitas klubnya yang menuntut prestasi tinggi.

"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," kata Panagiotis Dilmperis, Pelatih Kepala Punjab FC.

Pemain sayap Punjab FC, Ninthoinganba Meetei, turut membagikan perjuangan pribadinya melewati masa-masa sulit akibat cedera pada musim ini.

"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," cetus Ninthoi Meetei, Winger Punjab FC.

Meskipun demikian, Meetei merasa sangat puas dengan kepemimpinan tim kepelatihan yang memberikan suntikan motivasi utama baginya untuk tetap bekerja keras.

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

Di posisi lain, peluang FC Goa untuk menjadi juara resmi tertutup setelah mereka menelan kekalahan 2-1 dalam lawatan ke markas Kerala Blasters pada hari Senin. Pertandingan antara Punjab FC melawan Mumbai City sendiri disiarkan secara langsung melalui Sony Sports Network dan layanan streaming FanCode pada pukul 19.30 waktu setempat.