Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal, A Mouthful Of Clash In The Historical IFA Shield Semifinal.

Kolkata peoples are going to have an extra bonanza on Saturday while the two Kolkata giants will clash with eachother in the second semifinal of historical IFA Shield on Sunday evening at Salt Lake stadium Kolkata.

         If our country becomes a symbolic example of unity in diversity then of course Kolkata derby should be explained as a catalyst of diversity in unity which breaks entire Bengali families into two parts.

         Eventually this is going to be their third meeting in this football season but last two meetings were in I-League where win or lose was not compulsory but this time its knock out so one team has to be eliminated at the end of the game.

          First time since 2010 Federation Cup final these two sides are clashing in any kind of knock out stage, lasttime in 2010 East Bengal became the victorious by a solitary goal margin scored by Bhasum, few controversies were raised due to a rejection of Asim Biswas’ goal by referee. In 2011 these two sides met in an Under 19 tournament final where East Bengal also crowned the winner by tie-breaker following a 3 all stalemate.

           The IFA Shield might have lost its entire glamour but it has a historical past bonding with Mohun Bagan club, in IFA Shield’s history Mohun Bagan is the first Indian club to win it by beating any foreign club. Mohun Bagan club is bearer of the glorious past while they had beaten the British side East York Regiment in the final of 1911 IFA Shield which is actually counted the first win against the British empire during the British dominated pre independence period, it is also counted as the turning point during British era which actually lit & evoked the spirit amongst Indian freedom fighters that they can also beat the British.

            We have seen first encounter of this season ended in an ugly note, violence erupted inside the ground due to a needless red card shown to Mohun Bagan captain Odafa Okolie by referee Bishnu Chouhan, the match was abandoned while the Green & Maroon brigade refused to restart the match after half time regarding the heavy fan fury of Kolkata crowd.  In later East Bengal declared 3-0 winner on that abandoned derby & awarded entire 3 points for that match.

         The second derby of this season ended in a goalless stalemate.

         So following last two results there is a huge interest regarding this derby has grown up inside the Kolkata crowd.

        East Bengal side looking heavily balanced before this derby, they are currently in the run of I-League silverware. They have just made a goalless draw in their AFC Cup group league away outing against Vietnam side Sai Gon Xuan Thanh FC.

       The entire red & gold brigade is in a very good condition in the stewardship of Trevor James Morgan who has guided the side in the Federation Cup victory in the beginning of the season & sailing towards the most valuable crown of the country I-League.

         On the other hand since last two years Mohun Bagan didn’t have any success, they failed to win any crown in any kind of competition so they are desperately preparing themselves for having that trophy atleast.

They have very good record under the newly appointed  Karim Bencharifa also, prior to their defeat to Costa Rican side Deportivo Sapprisa in IFA Shield they were in a sting of 10 match unbeaten in all kind of competitions under the supervision of Karim.

        It’s going to be the battle between the prolific forwradline of Mohun Bagan comprises of Odafa, Tolgay & Sabeeth & the well composed defenceline of East Bengal comprises of Okpara, Gurwinder & Raju Gaekwad.

           Meanwhile Mehtab Mondal who is returning after playing his office game will lead  the midfield of East Bengal with the support of Penn Orji & Lalrindika Ralte while Robin Singh & Edeh Chiddih will lead their attacks in the upfront.

         Whether Mohun Bagan team is concern Mehraj, Aibar & Nirmal Chhetri will start in defence, Jewel, Denson & Manish Mathani alongwith Quinton Jacobs will start in midfield while Odafa & Sabeeth will lead the upfront, Tolgay can be introduced later as a substitute.

        Both the sides are going to miss few key players due to injury problem, Mohun Bagan will miss Snehasih & Rahim Nabi due to injury while East Bengal will also miss Arnab Mondal in their defence.

          Santosh Kumar of kerela is going to be tipped with the whistle blower for tomorrow’s match. Kick off time is 5-30pm IST.

                The winners of this match will clash with Prayag United in the final on 20^th March.

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