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India Today
18 hours ago
- Sport
- India Today
When Kolkata stops, it's only for East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan Derby
When does Kolkata really stop? Not for traffic, not for politics, not even for Durga Puja pandal-hopping. It stops only for one thing — the East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan Derby. Ninety minutes that freeze a city otherwise built on come down early all over the city. Para clubs string up makeshift screens with bedsheets. Tea stalls transform into panel discussions where everyone suddenly becomes an expert. On Derby day, the city doesn't work. It the Kolkata Derby isn't just football. It's identity in motion. Red-and-Gold against Green-and-Maroon. Chingri vs Ilish. Ghotti vs Bangal. Family feuds stitched into recipes, accents, loyalties, and geography. On paper, it's East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan. In real life, it's Kolkata arguing with itself. And it pulls in everyone. Hardcore fans carrying drums, yes, but also uncles who haven't seen a match in a decade, bus conductors who let their bias slip in fare disputes, neighbours who suddenly stop exchanging pleasantries if they know the other is wearing the wrong build-up is almost cinematic. A hush before the storm, streets clearing quicker, markets buzzing with urgency, everyone rushing to find their place — whether in front of a tiny TV in a para club or inside the Salt Lake Stadium, the cauldron that holds the loudest argument in Indian those marching to the ground, the spectacle is its own derby. Mini-trucks painted in red or green, faces smeared in colour, smoke bombs ready in pockets, drums strapped to sides — moving like an army on the way to that's what this rivalry is. Not just a game. It's heritage, identity, and chaos rolled into ninety minutes. It's not just noise — it's a the numbers sayAnd yet, beneath the noise, the football itself writes its own chapters. East Bengal, a team in transition under head coach Oscar Bruzon, arrive with fresh blood in Hamid Ahadad and Miguel Ferreira, the steel of Saul Crespo, and new Indian additions like Bipin Singh and Martand Raina. Personal tragedy has robbed them of Basim Rashid, but they carry momentum into the Bagan, in contrast, look far less experimental. Their Australian trio of Jamie Maclaren, Jason Cummings and Dimitri Petratos remain a lethal frontline, backed by the defensive calm of Tom Aldred and Alberto leaves its fingerprints on every Kolkata Derby. East Bengal haven't tasted victory often in recent times, but when they have, it's been unforgettable — like the 3-1 turnaround in the 2024 Super Cup groups or the slender 1-0 strike in the 2023 Durand Cup. Mohun Bagan, though, had their reply in that very Durand edition, edging East Bengal in the semis before going on to lift the trophy. The rivalry swings back and forth, never resting, always that is why Kolkata stops. Because when East Bengal and Mohun Bagan meet, it's not just football. It's a living, roaring, unending debate. A city divided by colour, united by Kolkata stops, it's only for this.- Ends


Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal, Durand Cup 2025 quarterfinal: When and where to watch MBSG vs EBFC live on TV, online
A blockbuster Sunday awaits Indian football fans as Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal clash at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) in the Durand Cup 2025 quarterfinals. This will be the season's first Kolkata Derby. With the Indian Super League (ISL) still uncertain, both teams will be eager to claim a win. Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal Live Streaming, Durand Cup Quarterfinal match Both Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, who share a century-old rivalry—one of the fiercest in Asia—enter the quarterfinal unbeaten in the tournament, carrying momentum from a winning run in the group stages. The Red and Gold have scored 12 goals in their three wins while conceding just one, with key contributions from new Moroccan recruit Hamid Ahadad, Spanish midfielder Saul Crespo, and Indian winger Bipin Singh. Mohun Bagan, now under interim head coach Bastob Roy, who replaced Jose Molina, also netted 12 goals, with five coming from standout performer Liston Colaco. Mohun Bagan, runners-up in the last edition, aim for a record-extending 18th Durand Cup title, while East Bengal look to match their rivals with a 17th crown. The winner will face either Jamshedpur FC or Diamond Harbour FC in the semi-finals. Shillong Lajong FC vs Indian Navy FT and Bodoland FC vs NorthEast United FC are the other two quarterfinal fixtures in the 134th edition of the Durand Cup. Here are all the details for the Durand Cup 2025 quarterfinal match between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal When will the Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal Durand Cup 2025 quarterfinal match take place? The Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal Durand Cup 2025 quarterfinal match will take place on Sunday, August 17. The match will start at 7:00 PM IST. Where will the Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal Durand Cup 2025 quarterfinal match take place? The Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal Durand Cup 2025 quarterfinal match will take place at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium), Kolkata. Which channels will broadcast the Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal Durand Cup 2025 quarterfinal match? The Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal Durand Cup 2025 quarterfinal match will be broadcast live on the Sony TEN 2 and Sony TEN 2 HD TV channels. Where will live streaming be available for the Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal Durand Cup 2025 quarterfinal match? The Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal Durand Cup 2025 quarterfinal match will be streamed live on the SonyLiv app and website.


News18
2 days ago
- Sport
- News18
Durand Cup 2025 QFs: East Bengal Vs Mohun Bagan Kolkata Derby- Live Streaming Details
Last Updated: East Bengal and Mohun Bagan face off in the Kolkata derby in the Durand Cup quarterfinals on August 17 at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. In what is set to be the biggest face-off of the year, East Bengal are all set to take on Mohun Bagan in a classic Kolkata derby on Sunday, August 17, in the quarterfinals of the ongoing Durand Cup, at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. The quarterfinal clash kicks off at 7:00 PM, with live telecast and streaming available in India. Spanning more than a century, the East Bengal–Mohun Bagan rivalry is regarded as one of the fiercest in Indian football and among the most intense in Asia and beyond. While East Bengal lead the overall head-to-head record, Mohun Bagan have held the upper hand in recent encounters. Both sides head into Sunday's clash with brilliant form, having sailed through the group stages unbeaten. Under coach Oscar Bruzon, East Bengal stormed through the group stage, winning all three games while netting 12 goals and conceding just once. New Moroccan signing, forward Hamid Ahadad, Spanish midfielder Saul Crespo and Indian winger Bipin Singh each scored twice for the team. Mohun Bagan, guided by interim coach Bastob Roy in place of Jose Molina, matched East Bengal's goal tally while conceding just one more. Liston Colaco has been the star performer, netting five goals for the side. Mohun Bagan aim for a record-extending 18th Durand Cup title, while East Bengal look to catch up with a 17th win in the historic tournament. The Durand Cup is the oldest ongoing football tournament in Asia and one of the oldest in the world. With the Indian Super League schedule still in flux, both Kolkata sides will be keen to kick off their 2025 campaigns on a high by clinching the traditional season opener. The victor of the East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan clash will face the winner of Jamshedpur FC vs Diamond Harbour FC in the semi-finals. Meanwhile, Shillong Lajong FC rallied to defeat Indian Navy 2-1 and advance to the semifinal of the Durand Cup for the second consecutive year. Where to watch East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan Durand Cup 2025 quarterfinal LIVE Live streaming of the East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan Durand Cup 2025 quarter-finals will be available on SonyLiv in India. The Kolkata Derby will be telecast live on the Sony TEN 2 and Sony TEN 2 HD TV channels. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


News18
5 days ago
- Sport
- News18
Durand Cup 2025: Crucial takeaways from group stage
New Delhi [India], August 13 (ANI): The group stage of the Durand Cup 2025 has lived up to expectations, serving up high-scoring encounters, surprise upsets, and a reminder of why it remains one of India's most prestigious football tournaments, as per the official website of Indian Super League (ISL) sides entered the competition, and as the dust settles, four of them, East Bengal FC, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Jamshedpur FC, and NorthEast United FC, have secured their places in the knockout stage. All four progressed as group winners, underlining the gulf in quality between them and most of their Bengal FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant, the two Kolkata giants, have maintained perfect records so far, sweeping aside opponents with ruthless efficiency. NorthEast United FC have had a more challenging path, but the defending champions have shown resilience. Jamshedpur FC, meanwhile, quietly went about their business to emerge on top in their group with a perfect knockout football ahead, here are three of the most striking takeaways from the group stage, focusing on the ISL teams that have stamped their Cup 2023 finalists have wasted no time in making their intentions clear. East Bengal FC have navigated the group stage with a 100% win record, securing nine points from three matches. Their campaign began with a statement, a 5-0 demolition of South United FC, followed by a gritty, hard-fought victory over Namdhari FC. They capped it off in style, beating the Indian Air Force makes their run so impressive is the balance between defence and attack. They have scored 12 goals, which is the joint-highest in the tournament, while keeping two clean sheets and conceding just once. Even more encouraging for head coach Oscar Bruzon is the fact that nine different players have found the net, showing that the team is not overly reliant on any single the many positives, new signings have made an immediate impact. Moroccan forward Hamid Ahadad has already opened his account with two goals, while midfielder Mohammed Rashid has impressed and chipped in with a goal. With a squad showing both depth and cohesion, East Bengal FC look well-equipped to go their arch-rivals, Mohun Bagan Super Giant have been flawless so far, combining fluid attacking football with clinical finishing. The Mariners began their Group B campaign with a 3-1 win over Mohammedan SC, shifted into a higher gear with a 4-0 dismantling of Border Security Force and then delivered their most emphatic performance by beating fellow unbeaten side Diamond Harbour 5-1 in the decider for top have matched East Bengal FC's tally of 12 goals, but what truly stands out is the form of Liston Colaco. The forward has been in scintillating touch, scoring in all three games and racking up five goals, making him the joint-top scorer in the tournament alongside NorthEast United FC's Alaaeddine Ajaraie. His contribution has gone beyond finishing with Colaco's creativity and link-up play has also been key to unlocking a side that reached the final last season, the signs are promising. With Colaco in this kind of form and a supporting cast capable of creating and converting chances at will, MBSG have every reason to believe they can go one step better than last year. In a knockout setting, a player of Colaco's confidence and versatility could be the United FC's path to the knockouts has been less straightforward than the Kolkata clubs but no less commendable. The defending champions finished top of Group E with seven points, narrowly edging Shillong Lajong FC, who finished with six points. They opened their campaign with a 3-1 win over the Armed Forces of Malaysia, followed it with a 2-1 victory against Lajong and wrapped up the group with a 2-2 draw against Rangdajied United there's one constant in their campaign, it's Alaaeddine Ajaraie. The Moroccan who was the ISL 2024-25 Golden Boot winner has once again been at the heart of everything good for NEUFC. He has scored five of their seven goals so far, including a hat-trick in the opener and a decisive brace against the final group match, he came off the bench to assist Jairo Samperio's equaliser, ensuring NEUFC remained unbeaten. For a team that thrives on moments of individual brilliance to complement their collective structure, having a player in Ajaraie's form could be pivotal as the stakes rise in the knockout rounds. (ANI)


Hindustan Times
10-08-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
East Bengal FC vs Indian Air Force FT: When and where to watch the Durand Cup 2025 match
Emami East Bengal FC is set to face Indian Air Force FT in their final Group A match of the Durand Cup 2025 on Sunday, August 10, 2025, at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. East Bengal has already qualified for the quarter-finals and would look to end the group stage on a high. (L) Hamid Ahadad of East Bengal celebrating his goal against Namdhari FC and (R) Samuel Vanlalpeka celebrating a goal for Indian Air Force team( Match Details Match: Emami East Bengal FC Vs. Indian Air Force FT Date: 10 August 2025 Time: 7 pm IST Venue: Kishore Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata Where to watch the East Bengal FC vs Indian Air Force match? Indian football fans can watch the East Bengal FC vs Indian Air Force Durand Cup 2025 Group A clash on SonyLIV, accessible via OTTplay Premium. Moreover, on television, they can watch the match on Sony Sports Network channels. Team News East Bengal FC enters this match from a position of stability, having already secured their place in the quarter-finals with an unbeaten record in the group stage. They have been dominant in the competition so far, opening with an easy 5-0 win over South United FC, followed by a narrow 1-0 victory against Namdhari FC. The last match featured a decisive goal by their new Moroccan signing, Hamid Ahadad. On the other hand, Indian Air Force FT, despite starting with a high-scoring (3-3) match against South United, have struggled defensively and have been eliminated from contention with only one point from two matches. After that draw against South United, they lost 2-4 against Namdhari FC. Players to watch out for Key players to watch include East Bengal's Hamid Ahadad, who made an immediate impact in his debut, and Indian Air Force's defender Sankit, who has contributed both defensively and offensively, scoring goals despite the team's defensive lapses. Moreover, with the knockouts in mind, we can see a stronger East Bengal lineup emerging for this match, and surely, coach Oscar Bruzon will look to see goals from his players. PV Vishnu will be tried in this match after recovering from injury. However, he will not play the whole 90 minutes.