The Mariners commenced their ISL 2023-24 season with an impressive undefeated streak in the initial seven matches, showcasing a remarkable brand of football. However, things took a downturn for the Kolkata giants in December.
After a few disappointing campaigns, the team turned a new chapter with the appointment of former Bengaluru FC head coach Carles Cuadrat as their tactician.
Both teams will battle it out for the semi-final spot in their last Group A match of the ongoing Kalinga Super Cup 2024 at the iconic Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, as per a press release from Kalinga Cup.
The victory was sweeter after it was achieved despite playing more than one-third of the match with ten men after midfielder Anirudh Thapa was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence on the hour mark.
Mohun Bagan SG and East Bengal FC are two of the most successful sides in the Durand Cup, having won a record 16 titles in the tournament. They will be facing each other in the final of the Durand Cup after a gap of 19 years, with the last Kolkata Derby final taking place in 2004. In that
Mohun Bagan Super Giant FC beat FC Goa 2-1 in a hotly-contested Durand Cup 2023 semi-final match at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Thursday to set up a Kolkata Derby final.
The Red & Golds not only registered a hard-fought win in the first Kolkata Derby of the season, but also emerged winners in the derby for the first time since 2019.
Mohun Bagan SG have already secured their place in the knockout stages of the tournament after victories over Bangladesh Army Football Team and Punjab FC. Meanwhile, East Bengal FC are in the hunt for their first win after being held to a 2-2 draw by the Bangladesh Army Football Team.