Football

The Kolkata derby in the Indian Super League (ISL) on Sunday evening witnessed a dominant performance by Mohun Bagan Super Giant, who outplayed East Bengal 3-1 to secure a spot in the play-offs.Mohun Bagan's victory was orchestrated by a scintillating first-half display, with Jason Cummings, Liston Colaco, and Dimitri Petratos finding the back of the net. East Bengal's only goal came from Saul Crespo in the second half.The match started with a penalty awarded to Mohun Bagan in the 13th minute, but East Bengal goalkeeper Vishal Kaith made a crucial save to deny Cleiton Silva. However, Mohun Bagan's relentless pressure paid off as Cummings tapped in a rebound from Prabhsukhan Gill's parry in the 27th minute.Colaco doubled the lead ten minutes later with a simple finish after a defensive lapse by East Bengal. Petratos then extended the advantage just before half-time with a powerful penalty kick, taking his tally for the season to eight goals.East Bengal showed more urgency in the second half, but Kaith continued to be a formidable presence in goal, denying Silva on multiple occasions. The Mariners also missed a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit when Nandhakumar Sekar's pass was overhit, preventing Silva from getting a clear shot on goal.Despite East Bengal's efforts, Mohun Bagan maintained their composure and controlled the tempo of the game. Petratos's right-footed strike in the 45th minute sealed the victory for the Mariners, who now sit atop the ISL standings with 36 points.The match was also notable for the presence of India head coach Igor Stimac, who witnessed the impressive performances of Mohun Bagan's Sahal Abdul Samad and Petratos.

The upcoming Kolkata derby between Mohun Bagan SG and East Bengal promises to be a high-octane affair, with both teams vying for different goals in the Indian Super League (ISL).Mohun Bagan, currently third in the standings with 33 points from 16 matches, is eyeing the League Shield. East Bengal, on the other hand, is struggling for survival, sitting in 10th place with 18 points from as many outings.Despite East Bengal's lower position, the psychological advantage lies with them in derby meetings this season. They have won two of the three encounters so far, including a 2-2 draw in the last meeting on February 3.That draw marked a turning point for Mohun Bagan under coach Antonio Lopez Habas. Since then, they have remained unbeaten, picking up four wins and two draws in a stretch of six matches.East Bengal, on the other hand, has been inconsistent. They recently lost away to Goa and will be looking to regain their form in time for the derby.The match will be played at the Salt Lake Stadium, which is expected to be packed to capacity. The atmosphere will be electric, with both sets of fans creating a deafening roar.Mohun Bagan will be relying on the likes of Roy Krishna, Hugo Boumous, and Liston Colaco to provide the attacking spark. East Bengal will look to their experienced players, such as Cleiton Silva, Naorem Mahesh Singh, and Lalrinliana Hnamte, to guide them to victory.The derby is not just a match; it's a battle of pride and passion. Both teams will be determined to give their all and emerge victorious. The stakes are high, and the atmosphere will be unforgettable.

East Bengal Corrects Ticket Pricing for Kolkata Derby After Mohun Bagan Boycott ThreatIn a significant development, East Bengal has announced that it will rectify any discrepancies in ticket pricing for the highly anticipated return leg of the Kolkata Derby against arch-rivals Mohun Bagan on Sunday. This decision comes after Mohun Bagan fans threatened to boycott the match due to perceived disparities in ticket costs.The announcement was made after discussions with West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas and in recognition of the sentiments of the football community. East Bengal director Sandeep Agarwal, representing principal owners Emami, stated that any discrepancies in ticket pricing would be corrected immediately.Agarwal also promised that there would be uniform pricing for all spectators in future derby matches. Previously, tickets for East Bengal stands ranged from ₹100 to ₹1000, while Mohun Bagan tickets varied from ₹250 to ₹3000.East Bengal, as the home team for the return leg, had determined the ticket prices through its principal owners, Emami Limited. However, Mohun Bagan general secretary Debasish Dutta had called for an official boycott, citing the disparity in pricing.Emami East Bengal defended its pricing strategy, stating that such practices are common worldwide. They also pointed to Mohun Bagan's similar approach on February 3, 2024, where discounts were offered to their fans.Agarwal acknowledged that the discount structure had caused confusion and, in light of the discussions with the Sports Minister and the sentiments of the football community, they had decided to correct the pricing.The Kolkata Derby is one of the most iconic rivalries in Indian football, and the return leg is expected to draw a massive crowd. The correction in ticket pricing is a welcome move that will ensure fairness and accessibility for all fans.