Indian Super League (ISL) side Mohun Bagan Super Giant registered a stunning 6-0 triumph against Indian Air Force Football Club in their last Durand Cup 2024 outing. And the players are bracing themselves for the forthcoming final group stage game, the Kolkata derby, which is set to take place on Sunday.

First minutes of the new season ✅#MBSG #JoyMohunBagan #আমরাসবুজমেরুন pic.twitter.com/l3kknzxSNy

— Mohun Bagan Super Giant (@mohunbagansg) August 9, 2024

After winning the opening match of the Durand Cup against Downtown Heroes FC with a youthful line-up, Mohun Bagan SG fielded a strong playing eleven in their second game, where new signings Apuia, Greg Stewart, and Alberto Rodriguez were seen in action. Last season's Shield Shield-winning members, Jason Cummings, Sahal Abdul Samad, Liston Colaco, and Anirudh Thapa, also returned to action in their very first appearance of the 2024–25 season.

Notably, Mohun Bagan SG's new head coach, Jose Molina, kicked off his second spell in India with a fashionable win against the Indian Air Force Football Club on his birthday.

With this big-margin victory, Mohun Bagan SG found themselves at the top of Group A with a greater goal difference than East Bengal FC, who are also coming through successive wins.

After the second group stage match, Aldred, Cummings, and Stewart, who were on the scoresheet against the Indian Air Force, spoke to the indiansuperleague.com. Despite registering a remarkable victory, the players shifted their focus to the all-important Kolkata derby.

Aldred, who captained the team in the opening Durand Cup game, is set to play against East Bengal FC for the very first time. The defender underlined the significance of the iconic fixture and shared his enthusiasm ahead of the high-octane clash.

“Obviously, a very big game is coming up. I have been in Kolkata long enough to know how big the Kolkata Derby is. We have to train hard now.. It’s obviously a huge game,” Aldred remarked.

Aldred was aware of what difficulties Carles Cuadrat’s men could pose with East Bengal FC also targeting a top of the table finish.

Speaking in context, the Australian said, “6-0 is a good result. But we are all aware of the challenges that East Bengal FC will bring.”

“So, for us, we have to keep building and return to training for the coming 10 days to get fit enough and ready enough for that game,” he added.

The Red and Gold Brigade boast a formidable offensive unit consisting of Dimitrios Diamantakos, Cleiton Silva, Madih Talal, and other talented Indian forwards.

While quizzed about the potent threat East Bengal FC’s forward line could offer, Aldred commented, “Yes, that’s going to be challenging. That’s why I came to India to play against the best strikers. I am well aware of the challenges.”

“I feel strong enough to come against the strikers. Every team could have top strikers. But I am ready to be the best I can be,” he signed off.

Cummings echoed Aldred’s words, as he believes that bagging a big win prior to the Kolkata Derby will boost their confidence.

Speaking about the upcoming crucial match, Cummings said, “I am ready. It’s a perfect game, obviously. All the boys are confident after six goals and a clean sheet. This performance makes the boys more confident.”

“It’s a massive game against East Bengal FC. Everyone knows that the Kolkata derby, the East Bengal FC game, is the most important. We’ll be ready for that and will go to win the game,” he continued.

The Australian international scored a brace against the Indian Air Force Football Club and also assisted Greg Stewart’s debut goal.

Reflecting on winning the Player of the Match award, the forward said, “It’s a great start, a good game, 6-0. Most importantly, we got the win. It was a good performance.”

“The new head coach and new players came in, so it’s going to take time for us to get to know each other. The way we get to know how the head coach wants us to play, we’ll learn it. It’s still an early process. But it’s a great start — six goals and a clean sheet—couldn't be much better to start,” he further added.

Scottish midfielder Stewart also scored his first goal for Mohun Bagan SG courtesy of Cummings’ precise passing. Cummings played a quick one-two with Stewart at the edge of the box before the new signing scored. 

Sharing his thoughts on playing with the former ISL Golden Ball winner, Cummings said, “Yes, first time. He scored as well. We had that connection.”

“I played against him very few times, and I know his quality; he is a very good player. He has experience playing in India as well,” he concluded.

Since landing in Kolkata last week, Stewart has been part of very few training sessions before playing his first match.

The former Jamshedpur FC and Mumbai City FC player shared his delight at the reception he got from his new teammates by saying, “I’ve received a very (warm) welcome from the whole team.”

While quizzed about his performance during the 6-0 victory, Stewart stated, “I came on for 15 minutes and got a goal. Of course, it’s all about winning the match. Happy for the boys; it was a good result. We could have scored more, but in the first game together, everyone is really happy.”

The 34-year-old is well aware of the heritage of the prestigious derby and its significance among the supporters. Stewart is determined to mark his first Kolkata Derby with a goal and is upbeat about securing a positive result.

“We will work hard until the next match. We know how big the Kolkata Derby is for the city,” Stewart stated.

“So hopefully, we’ll be ready and get the result. And, of course, I want to score a goal (in the derby),” he concluded.