Kolkata, Aug 22: The 135th IndianOil Durand Cup will come full circle on Sunday when East Bengal FC face Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the final at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, the same venue where the tournament began four weeks ago.
Kick-off is scheduled for 5pm, with the final to be broadcast live on the Sony Sports Network and streamed on SonyLIV.
The Kolkata Derby needs little introduction, but this meeting carries an added layer of intrigue. Mohun Bagan began the tournament by beating East Bengal 1-0, with Sahal Abdul Samad scoring the decisive second-half goal. Since then, East Bengal have remained unbeaten and now have the opportunity to settle the one result that has stood between them and a perfect campaign.
Mohun Bagan, meanwhile, are the only unbeaten side remaining in the tournament.
The two clubs took contrasting routes to Sunday’s showpiece.
Mohun Bagan dominated Group A, first beating East Bengal 1-0 before producing an 8-0 demolition of South United FC. Manvir Singh scored a hat-trick in that match. The Mariners then completed their group campaign with a 6-0 win over CISF Protectors, with Sahal scoring three times.
East Bengal responded strongly after their opening defeat. Antonio López Habas’s first victory as head coach came in an emphatic 8-0 win over CISF Protectors, before a 5-0 victory against South United FC secured their place in the knockout stages as one of the two best runners-up from the six groups.
The knockout phase, however, demanded considerably more from both teams.
East Bengal edged Indian Army FT 1-0 in the quarter-final, with PV Vishnu scoring in the 38th minute. Their semi-final against Sporting Club Delhi ended goalless, forcing a penalty shoot-out which East Bengal eventually won.
Mohun Bagan also needed penalties in both of their knockout matches. A 1-1 draw against Jamshedpur FC in the quarter-final was followed by a marathon shoot-out, which the Mariners won 9-8. Their semi-final against defending champions NorthEast United FC was also goalless after a rain-affected contest, before Vishal Kaith saved penalties from Robin Yadav and Parthib Gogoi to help Mohun Bagan win 4-3 from the spot.
The statistics underline the defensive strength of both finalists.
Mohun Bagan have scored 16 goals and conceded only once in six matches. East Bengal have scored 14 and also conceded just once, that goal coming in the opening derby.
Mohun Bagan therefore hold a slight statistical advantage, largely because of their dominant group-stage performances. East Bengal, however, have shown an ability to win tight, high-pressure matches in the knockout rounds, a quality that could prove crucial in a final.
Sunday’s match will be the 13th meeting between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan in a Durand Cup final.
The rivalry is remarkably even at the last hurdle, with both clubs having won five finals each. Two other finals ended with the teams being declared joint champions. The most recent final meeting came in 2023, when Dimitrios Petratos scored in the 71st minute to give ten-man Mohun Bagan a 1-0 victory.
There is also a major title incentive for both sides.
Mohun Bagan are the record 17-time Durand Cup champions and can extend their lead to 18 titles with victory. East Bengal, with 16 championships, can draw level with their oldest rivals by lifting the trophy on Sunday.
Sahal has been central to Mohun Bagan’s campaign. His opening-day derby winner was followed by a hat-trick against CISF Protectors, making him one of the key attacking figures for coach Panagiotis Dilmperis. Manvir Singh has provided another important source of goals, while goalkeeper Vishal Kaith has once again demonstrated his value in decisive moments.
East Bengal have similarly relied on a small group of influential players.
Captain Mohammed Basim Rashid has carried much of the team’s creative and set-piece responsibility. He struck the crossbar twice during the semi-final before converting the decisive penalty in the shoot-out. At the other end, goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Singh Gill has played a role comparable to Kaith’s for Mohun Bagan, saving one penalty during normal time and another in the shoot-out against Sporting Club Delhi.
Mohun Bagan have also strengthened their attacking options ahead of the final with the arrival of Brazilian midfielder Miguel Figueira, who joined from East Bengal, and India international winger Lallianzuala Chhangte. Both were registered for the knockout rounds and came off the bench against NorthEast United, giving Dilmperis additional options if the final requires a change in tempo.
Tactically, the final could present an intriguing contrast.
Habas has built East Bengal around defensive organisation, patience and quick transitions. The team has often been willing to allow opponents possession in areas where they pose little immediate threat before looking to exploit space on the counter. PV Vishnu’s pace and Rashid’s set-piece ability have been important elements of that approach.
Habas, however, does not want the occasion to alter his team’s mentality.
“The Kolkata Derby is a uniquely special match in India, but we have to approach it like any other game. In fixtures of this magnitude, you don’t need any extra motivation; you simply need to control your emotions for the full 90 minutes. There are no excuses. Ultimately, the team that plays with more intelligence on the pitch will win the match,” he said.
Dilmperis has demanded a more proactive approach from Mohun Bagan without compromising their defensive structure. Their group-stage record, featuring three wins, 15 goals and no goals conceded, demonstrated their ability to dominate possession and territory while maintaining their shape.
The Mohun Bagan coach believes the psychological battle could ultimately decide the contest.
“East Bengal has undeniable quality and experience, but we are looking to finish this game in 90 minutes. We have a lot of experience in our squad, but in a match like this, experience alone is not enough. If you don’t play with passion, it becomes a problem. These games are won in the mental battle, and tomorrow we have to master our emotions to get the win,” Dilmperis said.
For Mohun Bagan midfielder Samir Zeljkovic, the occasion will be particularly significant as he prepares to experience his first Kolkata Derby.
“Tomorrow will be my first Derby, and I am incredibly proud to be a part of the biggest game in Indian football. We are adjusting well, improving every day, and our only focus is on winning the trophy,” he said.
The tactical battle could ultimately come down to which side imposes its preferred rhythm.
East Bengal will look to draw Mohun Bagan forward and exploit the spaces left behind, while Mohun Bagan will seek to establish control early, much as they did in the opening derby. The availability of Figueira and Chhangte also gives the Mariners the option of introducing additional pace and creativity as the game develops.
Whatever the tactical outcome, the final offers a fitting conclusion to the 135th Durand Cup: the same two Kolkata giants, at the same stadium where the tournament began, competing for the oldest prize in Indian football.
After four weeks of competition, the trophy and Kolkata bragging rights will be decided over 90 minutes — and, if history is any indication, perhaps penalties once again.
