Football

Durand Cup Semifinal: Kolkata Police Bans Tifo, Drums, and Inflammable MaterialsAmidst heightened security concerns following the RG Kar Medical College protests, the Kolkata Police has issued a notice prohibiting spectators from bringing tifo, drums, smoke candles, or other inflammable materials into the stadium for the Durand Cup semifinal between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Bengaluru FC on Tuesday.The notice, signed by the joint commissioner of police, Bidhannagar, states that these restrictions are necessary to ensure the safety and security of the event. The authorities have requested both teams and their fans to cooperate with the security agencies and adhere to the guidelines.The decision to ban these items comes after the city police and tournament organizers canceled the derby between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal due to security concerns. In a show of solidarity, supporters of both teams gathered near the Salt Lake Stadium to protest the alleged rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College.As the Durand Cup enters its final stages, Bengaluru FC faces a formidable challenge against defending champions Mohun Bagan. The Kolkata giants have scored 10 goals and conceded only three, showcasing their attacking prowess and defensive resilience.Bengaluru FC, on the other hand, will be looking to upset the odds and secure a place in the final. The Blues have been in impressive form this season, winning the Indian Super League and reaching the AFC Cup semifinals.The semifinal clash promises to be an exciting encounter between two of India's top football clubs. However, the absence of tifo, drums, and other fan paraphernalia may dampen the atmosphere at the stadium. The Kolkata Police's decision is aimed at prioritizing safety and preventing any potential security breaches.

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.

Bengaluru FC and Mohun Bagan have secured their spots in the semifinals of the Durand Cup after thrilling victories in their respective quarterfinal matches.Mohun Bagan emerged victorious in a penalty shootout against Punjab FC, prevailing 6-5 after a 3-3 draw in regulation time. Punjab took an early lead through Luca Majcen's penalty, but Suhail Bhat and Manvir Singh put Mohun Bagan ahead in the second half. Filip Mrzljak and Norberto Ezequiel Vidal restored Punjab's advantage, but Jason Cummings equalized for Mohun Bagan in the 79th minute.In the penalty shootout, Mohun Bagan's Greg Stewart and Aldred converted crucial spot-kicks, while Punjab's Novoselec and Denechandram Meetei missed their attempts. Manvir, Liston Colaco, and Dimi Petratos also scored for Mohun Bagan, while Vinit Rai, Vidal, Bakenga, and Mrzljak found the net for Punjab.In the other quarterfinal, Bengaluru FC edged past Kerala Blasters 1-0 thanks to a late injury-time goal from Pererya Diaz. The match started with a tense moment as Kerala Blasters' goalkeeper Som Kumar collided with Diaz, forcing the Tuskers to substitute their goalkeeper.Bengaluru FC dominated possession but struggled to break down Kerala Blasters' defense. Sunil Chhetri's introduction in the 67th minute added pressure on Kerala Blasters, but both teams failed to find a decisive moment.In the dying moments of injury time, Bengaluru was awarded a free-kick just outside the box. Chhetri's attempt was blocked, but Diaz pounced on the rebound and slotted the ball into the near post to secure the win for Bengaluru FC.In the semifinals, Bengaluru FC will face defending champions Mohun Bagan, while Northeast United FC will take on Shillong Lajong FC.

Lucknow to Host Historic Mohun Bagan-East Bengal Derby, Boosting Football in Uttar PradeshLucknow, the vibrant city of Nawabs, is set to witness a historic football clash on September 2nd as traditional rivals Mohun Bagan and East Bengal face off at the K.D. Singh Babu Stadium. This highly anticipated derby marks a significant step in promoting football in Uttar Pradesh and is expected to draw a massive crowd of approximately 10,000 spectators.The preparations for this high-voltage match are in full swing, with the testing of the recently installed floodlights underway. The dressing rooms and other facilities for the players are also being meticulously arranged. State Sports Director R.P. Singh has confirmed that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is likely to grace the occasion.The decision to host the derby in Lucknow stems from a meeting between All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Kalyan Chaubey and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Chaubey expressed the need to promote football in Uttar Pradesh, and the state government enthusiastically embraced the proposal.Both Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, renowned for their passionate fan base, will arrive in Lucknow on September 1st. The derby promises to be a thrilling spectacle, showcasing the immense talent and rivalry that defines Indian football.The hosting of this prestigious match in Lucknow is a testament to the growing popularity of football in Uttar Pradesh. The state government's commitment to promoting the sport is evident in its support for this event. The derby is expected to inspire young footballers and further ignite the passion for the beautiful game in the region.

The Durand Cup, India's oldest football tournament, has reached its quarterfinal stage, with defending champions Mohun Bagan FC set to face Punjab FC in a highly anticipated clash. The draw for the quarterfinals was held virtually, with representatives of the eight qualified teams present.After the conclusion of the FC Goa versus Shillong Lajong FC Group F game, a video call was arranged where representatives of all qualified teams came on board. A live draw of lots was then conducted in front of them, and two teams to play in each venue were finalized.A decision was made to shift the second quarterfinal from Kolkata to Shillong due to playing conditions. The Durand Cup kicked off on July 27, with the final slated for August 31 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. A total of 24 teams took part in this year's edition, including one foreign team from Nepal and all 12 teams of India's top football division, the Indian Super League (ISL).From Group A, arch-rivals Mohun Bagan and East Bengal qualified for the quarterfinals with two wins, one draw, and seven points. Bengaluru FC qualified from Group B with three wins in three games and nine points. Kerala Blasters and Punjab FC made it to the final eight from Group C with two wins, a draw, and seven points. Indian Army FT progressed further from Group D by winning all three games. Northeast United and Shillong Lajong made it to the quarterfinals from Group E and F with nine and seven points, respectively.The quarterfinal fixtures are as follows:* Quarter-Final 1 (August 21, SAI Stadium, Kokrajhar): Northeast United FC vs Indian Army FT, 4:00 PM* Quarter-Final 2 (August 21, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong): Shillong Lajong FC vs East Bengal FC, 7:00 PM* Quarter-Final 3 (August 23, 2024, JRD Tata Sports Complex, Jamshedpur): Mohun Bagan Super Giant vs Punjab FC, 4:00 PM* Quarter-Final 4 (August 23, Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata): Bengaluru FC vs Kerala Blasters FC, 7:00 PM

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.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant, under the guidance of Spanish head coach Jose Molina, unleashed their attacking prowess in their second outing of the 133rd Durand Cup, crushing the Indian Air Force team by a resounding 6-0 margin at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. This emphatic victory propelled Mohun Bagan to the top of Group A standings, surpassing their arch-rivals Emami East Bengal.The match marked the first time in the new season that Mohun Bagan fielded a significant portion of its first team. Australian forward Jason Cummings emerged as the star of the show, netting a brace in the 4th and 76th minutes. The other goals came from Anirudh Thapa (65'), Liston Colaco (38'), Tom Aldred (10'), and Greg Stewart (90+1').Mohun Bagan's dominance was evident from the outset, as they controlled possession and created numerous scoring opportunities. Cummings opened the scoring early on, capitalizing on a defensive lapse by the Air Force. Aldred doubled the lead with a powerful header from a corner kick. Colaco extended the advantage before halftime with a clinical finish.In the second half, Mohun Bagan continued to press forward, with Thapa adding to the tally with a well-taken goal. Cummings sealed the victory with his second strike, while Stewart put the icing on the cake in stoppage time.The result sets up an intriguing clash between Mohun Bagan and Emami East Bengal on August 18, which will determine the final group positions and the candidate for the quarterfinals.

Jose Molina, the former ATK champion coach, has taken charge of the Indian Super League shield winner Mohun Bagan Super Giant. Molina emphasized the importance of consistency and delivering top-notch performances in every match, regardless of the tournament. He believes that every game should be treated as the most crucial fixture on the calendar.Molina's return to Kolkata after an eight-season absence marks a significant moment for Mohun Bagan. He previously led ATK to the ISL title in 2016. After serving as the sporting director of the Royal Spanish Football Federation for four years, Molina is eager to maintain Mohun Bagan's status as a top-tier football club in India.Molina's first assignment with Mohun Bagan will be the Durand Cup match against Indian Air Force on August 8. The team is determined to continue its winning streak and maintain its dominance in Indian football.

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.