Indian football’s greatest rivalry will take centre stage on Sunday night as East Bengal and Mohun Bagan Super Giants meet in the quarter-finals of the Durand Cup. The iconic Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan is expected to turn into a cauldron of colour and noise when the two giants collide at 7:00 PM in what promises to be the biggest spectacle of the tournament.
This clash carries more weight than just a passage into the last four. The derby has always been about pride, legacy, and identity, and Sunday’s contest will be no different. Both teams arrive unbeaten from the group stage, ensuring a high-voltage evening where one side’s dream will end, as the other marches into the semi-finals.
East Bengal’s resurgence under Bruzon
East Bengal have looked revitalised under Spanish coach Oscar Bruzon. The Red-and-Gold Brigade stormed through Group A with three wins from three, scoring 12 goals and conceding only once. Their campaign included a thumping 5-0 win over South United, a battling 1-0 result against Namdhari, and a ruthless 6-1 hammering of the Indian Air Force.
Bruzon, though, urged caution ahead of the clash. “We must control emotions and focus on the pitch. A derby can make you a hero or a villain depending on the result. We know what this game means to our fans, and we are determined to deliver,” he said at the pre-match press conference.
He also acknowledged the challenge that awaits. “Mohun Bagan is a benchmark for other clubs in the country. Tomorrow is going to be a tough match. We want to win the derby by exploiting Mohun Bagan’s weakness.”
Mohun Bagan’s firepower
On the other side, Mohun Bagan arrive as the defending Indian Super League Shield winners. They have shown their pedigree in Group B. They defeated Mohammedan Sporting 3-1, brushed aside BSF 4-0, and demolished Diamond Harbour FC 5-1.
Spanish coach José Molina has instilled attacking fluency into the side, with Liston Colaco in blistering form. The winger has netted five goals in three games, making him one of the tournament’s standout performers. His combination play with Sahal Abdul Samad, Jason Cummings, and Jamie Maclaren has given Mohun Bagan a fearsome front line.
However, injuries to key forwards Manvir Singh and Kiyan Nassiri could force Molina into tactical adjustments. Still, the Mariners boast enough depth, and the likes of Cummings, Maclaren and Dimi Petratos remain reliable outlets in front of goal.
More than just football
The stakes go well beyond the semi-final ticket. For East Bengal, it is a chance to prove that their revival is genuine after years of underachievement in the ISL. For Mohun Bagan, it is about underlining their status as the dominant force in Indian football and extending their proud Durand legacy.
The history of the competition adds to the intrigue. Mohun Bagan have lifted the Durand Cup 17 times, one more than East Bengal’s 16, making every meeting in the tournament a battle for supremacy. With the derby now entering its centenary year — first played in 1925 — Sunday’s clash will be another page in the saga that has shaped Indian football’s cultural fabric.
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The atmosphere builds
Across Kolkata, the buzz has been unmistakable. Tickets were snapped up within hours of release. Fans even formed queues overnight to secure a place inside the stadium. With a capacity crowd expected, the stadium will resemble the scenes of the 1997 Federation Cup semi-final, when over 131,000 fans witnessed one of the greatest derbies ever played.
For supporters, the derby is about more than goals and results. It is about identity, heritage, and faith. Families, across generations, will walk into the stadium in red-and-gold or green-and-maroon, carrying stories, memories, and unmatched passion. The chants, drums, and flags will turn the venue into a festival long before kick-off.
Prediction: A night for the brave
Form suggests a balanced contest. East Bengal have momentum and a rejuvenated squad, while Mohun Bagan possess the experience of playing and winning big games. The outcome could depend on who holds their nerves in the high-octane atmosphere.
Whatever the result, the Durand Cup will once again witness a derby that transcends football — an occasion where history, rivalry, and emotion collide. And when the floodlights shine on Sunday night, the city will hold its breath for 90 minutes, waiting to see which giant of Indian football has the last laugh.
Probable Playing XIs
East Bengal : Prabhsukhan Gill, Anwar Ali, Kevin Sibille, Lalchungnunga, Mohammad Rakip, Souvik Chakrabarti, Miguel Figueira, Saúl Crespo, Bipin Singh, Edmund lalrindika, Hamid Ahadad
Mohun Bagan : Vishal Kaith, Tom Aldred, Alberto Rodriguez, Asish Rai, Abhishek Singh, Apuia, Anirudh Thapa, Sahal Abdul Samad, Jason Cummings, Jamie Maclaren, Liston Colaco
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