Former Basundhara Kings coach Oscar Bruzon guided East Bengal to their first Indian Super League title on Thursday as the Kolkata giants beat Inter Kashi 2-1 at Kishore Bharati Stadium to end a 22-year wait for a major league crown.
Bruzon arrived at East Bengal in October 2024 after leaving Basundhara Kings, where he built one of the most dominant sides in Bangladeshi football. Less than one season later, he delivered India’s top-flight title to a club that had carried years of pressure and frustration.
East Bengal needed victory in the final league match to stay ahead of rivals Mohun Bagan on goal difference. Mohun Bagan won their own match, but Bruzon’s side held their nerve in front of a packed home crowd.
Inter Kashi struck first in the 14th minute through Alfred Planas. The early goal silenced the stadium and raised fears of another failed title chase for the red-and-gold supporters.
Bruzon changed the rhythm after the break. East Bengal pushed higher up the pitch, pressed Inter Kashi’s back line and attacked with greater width. The pressure forced mistakes from the opposition goalkeeper and Youssef Ezzejjari equalised to pull the hosts back into the contest.
The Moroccan forward also secured the league’s Golden Boot award with the goal after finishing the season as the competition’s top scorer.
East Bengal continued to attack because a draw would not secure the title. Bipin Singh delivered a cross into the box and Rashid scored his first goal of the season to complete the turnaround and seal the championship.
Bruzon built his reputation in Bangladesh with Basundhara Kings, winning four straight league titles and turning the club into the dominant force in domestic football. He carried the same aggressive style and dressing-room authority into East Bengal’s campaign.
After the match, Bruzon signalled that he could remain with East Bengal next season if discussions with the club progress well.
