Kolkata: East Bengal head coach Antonio Lopez Habas has called for a dominant performance from his side as they prepare to face arch-rivals Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the 135th Durand Cup final at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Sunday. The highly anticipated Kolkata Derby will decide the champion of Asia’s oldest existing football tournament, with East Bengal aiming to end a long wait for the prestigious trophy. The final will kick off at 5 pm IST.
Habas, who has previously enjoyed success with Mohun Bagan, knows the intensity surrounding the derby and has stressed the importance of taking control of the contest rather than simply reacting to their opponents. East Bengal have fought their way into the final after recovering from a defeat to Mohun Bagan in the group stage. They subsequently produced a strong run, including an 8-0 win over CISF Protectors and a 5-0 victory against South United. They defeated Indian Army FT 1-0 in the quarter-final before overcoming Sporting Club Delhi on penalties in the semi-final.
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Mohun Bagan, meanwhile, have also reached the final after a dramatic penalty-shootout victory over NorthEast United in the semi-final. The Mariners had earlier defeated East Bengal in the opening Kolkata Derby of the tournament. For East Bengal, the final offers an opportunity to overturn that earlier result and finish the tournament with the ultimate statement. The club’s attacking strength and defensive improvement have made them formidable opponents after their difficult opening match.
The absence of forward PV Vishnu because of injury is a concern for Habas, with experienced Bipin Singh among the possible replacements. With two historic rivals meeting for the Durand Cup, the final promises to be about much more than silverware. For East Bengal, it is a chance to reclaim one of Indian football’s most coveted trophies and make a statement against their fiercest rivals.
