Football

The Indian Super League (ISL) has unveiled the highly anticipated schedule for its 2024-25 season, featuring a thrilling lineup of matches, including the iconic Kolkata Derby. The second leg of the Kolkata Derby between Mohun Bagan SG and East Bengal FC will take center stage on January 11 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. The rivalry will continue with Mohammedan SC facing Mohun Bagan SG on February 1 and East Bengal FC on February 16, completing the Derby round-up.The season kicks off on January 4 with Bengaluru FC traveling to Jamshedpur for a clash at the JRD Tata Sports Complex. Punjab FC will host Kerala Blasters at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on January 5. The clash between Odisha FC and FC Goa on January 4 promises to be a tactical battle, with the Spanish flair of Sergio Lobera and Manolo Marquez on display.NorthEast United FC will make their debut at their new home, the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong, on February 7 against Mumbai City FC. The Highlanders will also host Bengaluru FC on February 21 and East Bengal FC on March 8 in the Meghalaya capital.Kerala Blasters FC will face arch-rivals Chennaiyin FC on January 30 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai. Chennaiyin FC will take on Bengaluru FC in a much-anticipated fixture on February 25 at Sree Kanteerava Stadium. These matches will be crucial in the race for the playoffs.The league phase will conclude on March 12 at the GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium in Hyderabad, with a contest between Hyderabad FC and Kerala Blasters. The ISL 2024-25 season promises to deliver intense rivalries, tactical battles, and unforgettable moments for football fans across India.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant, eager to secure their first victory of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season, will face off against NorthEast United in their second home game on Monday in Kolkata. The Mariners, who drew with Mumbai City FC in their opening match, will be determined to break their winless streak.NorthEast United, on the other hand, enter the clash with confidence after securing a late victory over debutants Mohammedan Sporting in their first game. They will be looking to continue their winning ways in Kolkata, having defeated Mohun Bagan in the Durand Cup 2024 final just a few weeks ago.Mohun Bagan have a remarkable scoring record in the ISL, having found the back of the net in 15 of their 16 games played in 2024. They have scored in 11 consecutive games, just one short of their ISL streak of 12 matches set between March 2021 and January 2022.NorthEast United, known for their defensive prowess, have kept three clean sheets in their last four games, including two in a row in their previous matches. If they can keep Mohun Bagan at bay on Monday, it will be the first time they have not conceded a goal in three consecutive ISL encounters.Mohun Bagan coach Jose Molina is aware of his team's defensive vulnerabilities, having conceded a 2-0 lead against Mumbai City FC. He is determined to address these issues and secure victories in upcoming fixtures."We have to play better and defend better to win matches. We have to focus on that, keep working, stay positive, and hopefully, in the next matches, we will play better," he said.NorthEast United coach Juan Pedro Benali anticipates a strong response from Mohun Bagan after their draw against Mumbai City FC. However, he is confident that his team will pose a significant challenge to the Mariners."Mohun Bagan haven't had the best of results in the last few games. They will be eager to get over us and our job is to make it as much as difficult for them. The players are ready," Benali said.

The Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season is set to kick off with a thrilling clash between Shield winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Cup winners Mumbai City FC on September 13 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. This blockbuster encounter will be a rematch of last season's final.The ISL has announced the fixtures for the first 84 matches of the season, which will run until the end of the year. The opening weekend will also feature Chennaiyin FC traveling to Odisha FC, while Bengaluru FC will take on East Bengal FC in the first double-header of the season on September 14. Kerala Blasters FC will host Punjab FC the following day at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi.Hyderabad FC will begin their campaign with an away fixture at Bengaluru FC on September 19, subject to their clearance of the AIFF Club Licensing. This season of the ISL will witness the addition of I-League champions Mohammedan Sporting Club, who will kick-start their campaign against NorthEast United FC at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on September 16.With the entry of Mohammedan Sporting, the ISL will now feature the three most storied football clubs from Kolkata: Mohun Bagan Super Giant, East Bengal FC, and Mohammedan Sporting Club. This will result in six high-intensity Kolkata derbies throughout the season. The first two Kolkata derbies are scheduled for October: Mohun Bagan Super Giant vs Mohammedan FC on October 5 and East Bengal FC vs Mohun Bagan Super Giant on October 19.Mohun Bagan Super Giant won the ISL League Shield in the 2023-24 season, while Mumbai City FC emerged victorious in the ISL final after a knockout round. The upcoming season promises to be equally exciting, with 13 teams competing for the coveted trophy.

The highly anticipated Kolkata Derby, a clash between city giants Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Emami East Bengal FC, has been canceled due to ongoing protests over the tragic rape and murder of a doctor at R.G. Kar hospital in Kolkata. The decision to abandon the concluding Durand Cup Group A match was made a day before the scheduled date as the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate, responsible for managing security at the Salt Lake Stadium, failed to commit adequate forces.The organizers, the Indian Army and the Government of West Bengal, cited the "prevailing situation" as the reason for the cancellation. The city and its adjoining districts have been witnessing widespread protests, diverting police personnel away from the match. Additionally, there were concerns about the possibility of protests and demonstrations spilling over into the stadium, creating a major disturbance.While no specific reason was given in the official statement, sources within the organizing committee indicated that the police commissionerate could not provide the necessary security to manage a 'derby' match, which typically attracts over 60,000 spectators.The organizers have tentatively informed the teams that they will be awarded a point each. With both teams tied on six points from two wins each, the additional point will not alter their current positions. Mohun Bagan SG will take the top spot due to a better goal difference and advance to the quarterfinals, while East Bengal is also likely to qualify as one of the two second-placed teams.The cancellation of the Kolkata Derby has disappointed fans and cast a shadow over the Durand Cup. The match is considered one of the most prestigious rivalries in Indian football, and its absence will be a significant loss for the tournament.

The Durand Cup 2024 group stage match between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan promises to be an electrifying affair as the arch-rivals clash at the Salt Lake Stadium on Sunday. The Kolkata Derby is a highly anticipated event, with both teams vying for a knockout spot.Mohun Bagan have been in impressive form, remaining unbeaten and yet to concede a goal in the tournament. East Bengal, on the other hand, have conceded twice but are determined to secure a victory.The East Bengal squad boasts a strong defense led by Prabhsukhan Singh Gill and Lalchungnunga. Their midfield is anchored by Souvik Chakrabarti and Jeakson Singh, while Cleiton Silva and Dimitrios Diamantakos provide attacking firepower.Mohun Bagan's defense is equally formidable, with Ashutosh Mehta and Gurjinder Kumar forming a solid partnership. Their midfield is led by Sk Faiz and Surabuddin Mollick, while Subha Ghosh and Deep Saha pose a threat up front.In terms of head-to-head encounters, East Bengal holds a slight edge with 142 wins compared to Mohun Bagan's 129. However, in Durand Cup history, East Bengal leads 9-8 with five draws.The match is expected to be a close and intense battle, with both teams eager to secure a victory. Fans can expect a high-octane encounter filled with passion, skill, and rivalry.

Defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant will lead the charge as 24 teams prepare for the 133rd edition of the Durand Cup, the inaugural competition of Indian football's new season. Mohun Bagan SG, also the holders of the Indian Super League shield title, will face Srinagar-based club Downtown Heroes FC, which plays in I-League Division 2, in the opening Group A league match at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday.The tournament format features 24 teams divided into six groups of four teams each. The groups include teams from the ISL, I-League, and the Services teams of India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Kolkata will host the matches of Groups A, B, and C, while Jamshedpur will host Group D matches. Kokrajhar and Shillong will host the Group E and F league matches respectively.The 36-match group league stage will conclude with the Kolkata derby featuring two of the oldest teams in the continent - Mohun Bagan SG and East Bengal FC - on August 18. The top team from each group and the two best second-placed teams will advance to the quarterfinals (knock-out stage). The quarterfinals are scheduled to start on August 21 and will be held in Jamshedpur, Kokrajhar, and Kolkata, which will host two matches. Kolkata will host both the semifinals and the final, which will be held on August 31.

The 133rd Durand Cup, India's oldest football tournament, is set to kick off the 2024-25 season on July 27 in Kolkata. Defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant will face Downtown Heroes FC in the opening match.The tournament will feature 24 teams competing in a round-robin league format, with six group winners and two best second-placed teams advancing to the knockout round. Group A includes two record-holding title winners: Mohun Bagan SG and East Bengal FC.Mohun Bagan SG, the reigning champions, have bolstered their squad with notable foreign signings, including Jamie Maclaren, Greg Stewart, Alberto Rodriguez, and Tom Aldred. They will aim to retain their title and continue their trophy-winning spree.East Bengal FC, the other Kolkata giant, has also built a formidable squad, acquiring the services of last season's standout performers, including Dimitrios Diamantakos, Madih Talal, and Jeakson Singh. They will aim to close the gap and secure their 17th Durand Cup win, leveling the tally with their arch-rivals.Group A also includes Downtown Heroes FC, a relatively new club founded in 2020, and Indian Air Force FT, representing the armed forces from India. Their participation could add an element of surprise to the group stage.The two finalists from the 2023 Durand Cup, Mohun Bagan SG and East Bengal FC, are once again pitted in the same group for the third consecutive time. The result of their high-stakes encounter could determine which Kolkata-based team advances to the knockout rounds.The Durand Cup is a prestigious tournament that has been won by some of India's most famous clubs, including Mohun Bagan SG, East Bengal FC, and Bengaluru FC. It is a major event in the Indian football calendar and provides a platform for young players to showcase their talent.

The 133rd edition of the Durand Cup, Asia's oldest and the world's fifth oldest football tournament, is set to kick off on July 27th in Kolkata. The tournament will feature 24 teams divided into six groups, with matches taking place in four cities: Kolkata, Kokrajhar, Shillong, and Jamshedpur.The inaugural match will see reigning champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant face off against Downtown Heroes FC of Kashmir. The much-anticipated Kolkata Derby between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal will take place on August 18th, serving as the final group game.Group A, B, and C matches will be played in Kolkata, while Jamshedpur will host Group D matches. Jamshedpur FC will face Bangladesh Army Football Team in the first match in Jamshedpur.Group E games will commence in Kokrajhar on July 30th, with local side Bodoland FC taking on ISL side NorthEast United FC. Shillong, another first-time host, will see Shillong Lajong FC take on Nepal's Tribhuvan Army Football Team in the opening fixture of Group F.The tournament will feature a total of 43 matches, with the six group toppers and two best second-placed teams qualifying for the knockouts. The Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kishore Bharati Krirangan, JRD Tata Sports Complex, SAI Stadium, and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium will host the matches.The Durand Cup has a rich history, having been first played in 1888. It is a prestigious tournament that has seen some of the biggest names in Indian football participate over the years. The tournament is expected to attract a large number of fans and generate significant excitement in the Indian football community.

Mohun Bagan Sporting Club (MBSC) emerged victorious in the highly anticipated return derby of the Indian Super League (ISL) against its arch-rival East Bengal FC (EBFC) at the Salt Lake Stadium on Sunday. The 3-1 triumph propelled MBSC to the top of the league standings with 36 points from 17 matches.The match began with a missed penalty opportunity for EBFC captain Cleiton Silva in the 14th minute. MBSC goalkeeper Vishal Kaith made a crucial save, denying EBFC an early lead. This setback seemed to galvanize MBSC, who took control of the game and found the opening goal in the 27th minute. Jason Cummings tapped home a rebound after Dimitri Petratos' effort was blocked by EBFC custodian Prabhsukhan Gill.MBSC continued to dominate the proceedings and doubled their lead in the 37th minute. Petratos set up Liston Colaco with a precise pass, allowing the latter to slot the ball into the net. The first half ended with MBSC firmly in control, leading 2-0.The second half saw EBFC make a valiant effort to get back into the game. They pulled one back through Saul Crespo's stunning goal in the 53rd minute. However, MBSC remained resolute and sealed the victory with a penalty converted by Petratos in injury time.The result was a major setback for EBFC, who remain in the bottom half of the table. MBSC, on the other hand, extended their unbeaten run to five matches and strengthened their position as title contenders.