East Bengal Hold Mohun Bagan To Seal Super Cup Semifinal Spot
In a tense and tightly contested Kolkata Derby, East Bengal FC secured their place in the Super Cup semifinals with a 0-0 draw against arch-rivals Mohun Bagan Super Giant. The match, held at Fatorda Stadium in Goa on Friday, saw East Bengal advance on goal difference after both teams concluded the group stage with an equal number of points.
The goalless draw was a testament to East Bengal's disciplined defensive performance, which successfully thwarted Mohun Bagan's attacking attempts. Despite needing only a draw to advance, East Bengal demonstrated dominance in possession and created several scoring opportunities throughout the match.
East Bengal had a few close chances to take the lead, with Bipin Singh's header hitting the crossbar and Hamid Ahadad missing a clear opportunity. Mohun Bagan, on the other hand, struggled to break down East Bengal's defense and create meaningful chances.
The match was intense, with both teams displaying physicality and determination. In the 78th minute, Sibille of East Bengal lost possession, creating a scoring chance for Mohun Bagan, but Anwar Ali made a crucial block to deny Robson's shot. Earlier, in the 67th minute, Anwar Ali blocked Liston Colaco's attempt, and Miguel conceded a foul, giving Mohun Bagan a free kick in a promising position.
With this result, East Bengal avenged their defeat in the IFA Shield. Both Kolkata rivals have now faced each other four times this season, with a mix of results.
The draw means that East Bengal topped Group A on goal difference, pipping Mohun Bagan to the top spot and a coveted semi-final berth. Both teams had previously beaten Chennaiyin FC and drawn against Dempo SC in their earlier group matches. Ultimately, East Bengal's superior goal difference, achieved through a 2 goal advantage over Mohun Bagan against Chennaiyin FC, proved to be the deciding factor.
The match was a fitting spectacle for the Kolkata Derby, known for its intense rivalry and passionate fans. East Bengal's resolute defense and tactical discipline earned them a well-deserved spot in the Super Cup semifinals, while Mohun Bagan will be disappointed to exit the tournament at this stage.
