Durand Cup 2022: Old foes reunite as East Bengal take on ATK Mohun Bagan in season’s first Kolkata derby
East Bengal will renew their ferocious rivalry against ATK Mohun Bagan as the two sides collide for the first Kolkata derby of the season in their Group B match at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Sunday.
East Bengal will renew their ferocious rivalry against ATK Mohun Bagan as the two sides collide for the first Kolkata derby of the season in their Group B match at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Sunday.
The two heavyweights are yet to make their way for their first three points of their respective campaigns, and will go with all guns blazing to make the most out of this eminent sporting contest.
The Mariners were beaten 2-3 by Rajasthan United in their opening fixture followed by a 1-1 draw against Mumbai City FC in their second game. The Red and Golds, on the other hand, have registered two draws in two games, and will be looking to turn things around against their arch-rivals.
With more than 60,000 spectators cheering and rooting for either of the clubs, the Salt Lake Stadium will be witnessing the iconic battle between the two foes after three years.
🚨 ডার্বি জ্বরে কাঁপছে শহর 🚨
— Durand Cup (@thedurandcup) August 28, 2022
More than just a game, #KolkataDerby has always been a celebration of 𝑩𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒂 and an overflow of some raw emotion...
Famous singer 𝐏𝐨𝐭𝐚 (𝐂𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐬𝐬) shared his Derby emotion with us... ❤️#EEBATKMB ⚔️#IndianOilDurandCup 🏆 pic.twitter.com/FoKLarrVnW
The Juan Ferrando-led side, who are down the pecking order in the group, will eye for an outright attacking display against the newly-managed Stephen Constantine side.
“We will go for a win. Everyone wants to play and perform better than last season. Of course, the team is still going through preparations and I hope they are ready for a better showing in the next match. It’s a matter of pride for me to be part of the derby in front of a packed crowd at the Saltlake Stadium,” quoted Ferrando ahead of the kickoff.
East Bengal have the upper hand on the points but when it comes to derbies, there are no clear favourites in the contest.
“We have started later than everybody else and are still trying to get match fitness. Hopefully, the match against ATK Mohun Bagan will give us the opportunity to find our form,” said Stephen Constantine prior to the match.
The match between East Bengal and ATK Mohun Bagan is scheduled for 6pm IST and will be telecasted live on Sports18 and Sports18HD, with live streaming available on Voot Select.