East Bengal secured 2-1 victories over the arches of Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the tense Kolkata Derby at the Salt Lake stadium on Sunday and sealed the decisive victory of the Durand Cup in front of the roaring crowd. The braces from Dimitrios Diamantakos proved to be crucial, while the strike Anirudh Thap for sailors maintained the competition alive until the last whistle.
The match began on the front leg East Bengal and hardly pressed and the worrying men of Jose Molina. The red and gold brigade almost continued in the third minute when Hamid Ahadad forced Vishala Kaith in the early storage. However, the plans of Eastern Bengal suffered a failure when Ahadad was limping by injuries, replaced by Diamantakos in the 18th minute.
This change has turned into a blessing in disguise. After the opening half of Kagey, the East Bengal was a sentence in the 36th minute, when Bipin Singh overthrew Asssh Rai. Diamantakos got out and broke the point kick home to give his party leadership. Mohun Bagan tried to react before the break, and the only real attempt was the Apuia for a long distance that sailed to the wide at the time of stopping.
The other half began at a furious pace. East Bengal doubled its advantage in the 52nd minute, when Mahesh Singh strengthened Diamantakos, whose low ride beat Kaith for the second evening. The animated celebration of the Greek striker earned him a reservation, but believers from East Bengal broke out with joy.
Mohun Bagan finally came to life after two goals. Jason Cummings and reaching Abdul Samad approached, just to be denied goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Gill and defender Kevin Sibille. Their perseverance was rewarded in the 68th minute, when Anirudh Thap was curled out of the network to make the hope of returning.
The last phase was related to the persistent pressure of I could Bagan. Petratos and Asish Rai tested the frog, while the tempeers spread in the heated ostuch between Lalchongnung and Petratos. Despite the six minutes of the time added, the defense of East Bengal was firmly stuck to seal the famous triumph of derby.
For East Bengal, this victory is more than just progression in the Durand Cup – it is an early statement on the intention. For I can give Bagan the result questions about their slow start and lack of control at key moments.
East Bengal will now have to go against the Diamond Harbor in the semifinals.
– ends
Published:
Amar Pancker
Published on:
August 17, 2025
