As the Indian Super League (ISL) gears up for its 2024-25 season, there has been a thrilling new addition to the league’s vibrant tapestry. Mohammedan Sporting Club, will be making its debut in the ISL in the upcoming season, having been confirmed as new entrants on Saturday.

The arrival of Mohammedan SC introduces a much-anticipated element to the league: the Mini-Kolkata derbies. The Kolkata Derby consists of matches between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal FC, which is arguably among Indian football’s biggest rivalries.   

However, becoming the third team from Kolkata that will be part of the ISL, Mohammedan SC brings along with it a long-standing and passionate rivalry with  Kolkata neighbours Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal FC, that promises to inject fresh excitement into the league.

A rivalry formed over centuries  

Kolkata football is renowned for its intense rivalries, a legacy that stretches back over a century. Among the most celebrated rivalries in Indian football are those between Mohammedan Sporting Club, East Bengal FC, and Mohun Bagan SG. These clubs, each with a rich history and loyal fan base, have a storied past of fierce competition and memorable encounters.

The term "Mini-Kolkata Derby" is used to describe the fixtures involving Mohammedan SC against East Bengal FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant. While the main Kolkata Derby between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan SG has historically been the highlight of Indian football and the ISL since 2020, the addition of Mohammedan SC into the league adds a new layer of intrigue and anticipation.

Founded in 1891, Mohammedan SC are one of the oldest and most storied clubs in Indian football and their history is intertwined with the development of the sport in the country. They were the first Indian team to win the Calcutta Football League in 1934.

In 1960, the club achieved international recognition by winning the Aga Khan Gold Cup in Dhaka, marking the first time an Indian team had claimed victory in an international tournament. This triumph was a pivotal moment in the history of Indian football.

Historic victories

East Bengal FC, established in 1920, and Mohun Bagan, founded in 1889, have been equally significant in Kolkata's football narrative, winning the biggest trophies in Indian football. 

The origins of the rivalry trace back to the early 1930s, when Mohammedan SC emerged as a formidable force in the Calcutta Football League CFL, securing seven out of eight titles from 1934 to 1941. From then until the late 1950s, the CFL titles were exclusively contested by these three rival clubs, known as the Big Three of Kolkata. This fierce competition extended to other prominent tournaments back then, including the Durand Cup, Rover’s Cup, and IFA Shield, where the three clubs vied for supremacy.

After an eight-year trophy drought following Independence, the club ended its dry spell in 1956 by winning the Rovers Cup for the second time, with a notable victory over the defending champions Mohun Bagan SG. This win remains one of their most celebrated moments in the Mini-Kolkata derby.

Another landmark achievement came in 1983 when Mohammedan SC captured its first Federation Cup, triumphing over Mohun Bagan. The following season, they successfully defended their title by defeating East Bengal FC in the final, a victory that continues to be a significant highlight in the Mini-Kolkata Derby rivalry against the Red & Golds.

Together, these clubs have formed the backbone of the city's football culture, and their clashes have often been described as some of the most exhilarating and emotionally charged matches in Indian football. 

A new chapter 

For the defending I-League champions, the ISL presents a fresh challenge. However, Mohammedan SC have demonstrated its strength at their home ground, Kishore Bharati Krirangan on multiple occasions last season and their presence in the ISL will be a formidable challenge for their Kolkata rivals as well as other teams in the league.

And for Mohammedan SC, facing off against East Bengal and Mohun Bagan SG in the ISL will be more than just games; they will be opportunities to win bragging rights and reassert their historical rivalry on a national stage.

Mohammedan SC’s entry into the ISL is a return to prominence for a club that has been a cornerstone of Kolkata football. Their long absence from the top flight of Indian football has only heightened the anticipation surrounding their return. 

The Mini-Kolkata derbies are poised to become a highlight of the ISL and given their historical significance, these matches promise to be much more than mere local showdowns. As the league embraces this exciting new rivalry, fresh chapters wait to be written.

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Mohun Bagan Super GiantMohammedan SCEast Bengal FC