Mohun Bagan Edge East Bengal 1-0 to Win the Opening Kolkata Derby of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup

Sahal Abdul Samad’s Second-Half Strike Seals Victory for the Mariners

By Suman Munshi | IBG NEWS

Kolkata, July 25: Defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant began their campaign in the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup with a narrow yet hard-earned 1-0 victory over arch-rivals East Bengal FC in a fiercely contested Kolkata Derby at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Saturday.

A second-half tap-in from Sahal Abdul Samad proved to be the decisive moment in a match that showcased defensive discipline, missed opportunities, and flashes of attacking brilliance before a packed and passionate crowd.

A Tactical Battle from the Start

Both newly appointed head coaches, Antonio López Habas for Mohun Bagan and Panagiotis Dilimperis for East Bengal, opted to field all-Indian starting XIs in their first competitive matches in charge of their respective clubs.

Captains Subhasish Bose and Anwar Ali led their teams onto the field as the opening fixture of the tournament got underway amid a vibrant atmosphere.

Mohun Bagan looked the more confident side in the opening exchanges, building most of their attacks down the right flank through the energetic runs of full-back Tekcham Abhishek Singh. His early crosses found Manvir Singh and Kiyan Nassiri, but neither could trouble East Bengal goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Singh Gill.

Midfielder Sahal Abdul Samad remained the creative force for the Mariners throughout the first half, testing the goalkeeper once and narrowly missing the target with another effort.

Despite enjoying the majority of possession and registering 10 attempts on goal compared to East Bengal’s two, Mohun Bagan failed to convert their dominance into goals. East Bengal’s defensive pairing of Anwar Ali and Sandip Mandi stood firm, ensuring the teams entered the halftime break locked at 0-0.

Sahal Makes the Difference

Mohun Bagan carried their momentum into the second half and finally broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute.

A determined run by Kiyan Nassiri inside the penalty area forced East Bengal defender Rohit Danu into an error before Nassiri delivered a low cross across the six-yard box. Sahal Abdul Samad arrived unmarked at the far post to calmly guide the ball into an empty net, giving the Mariners a deserved lead.

East Bengal Fight Back

Trailing by a goal, East Bengal responded positively. Coach Panagiotis Dilimperis introduced Mohamad Rashid, P.V. Vishnu, and later new signings Dejan Dražić and Dani Ramírez, injecting fresh energy into the Red and Gold Brigade.

The substitutions transformed East Bengal’s attacking approach. Vishnu forced Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Vishal Kaith into action with a powerful low drive before Lalchungnunga created another dangerous opportunity with an excellent run from the right flank.

East Bengal dominated the closing stages, pushing Mohun Bagan deep into their own half. Ramírez came agonisingly close to an equaliser when his near-post effort struck the upright, while Mohamad Rashid failed to convert from close range after being picked out by Ramírez.

Kaith once again demonstrated why he is regarded as one of India’s finest goalkeepers, producing a brilliant reflex save to deny Rashid’s acrobatic volley. Even from the resulting corner, Anwar Ali’s header drifted wide.

Despite relentless pressure in the closing minutes, Mohun Bagan’s defence held firm to secure all three points in the opening match of the tournament.

IBG NEWS Analysis: Plenty of Work Ahead for Both Kolkata Giants

Although the Kolkata Derby delivered excitement and intensity, both teams displayed several shortcomings that will concern their coaching staff ahead of the remainder of the tournament.

Mohun Bagan dominated possession for long periods but often lacked urgency in transition. Their midfield movement became predictable after taking the lead, and the team’s passing rhythm slowed considerably during the second half. Instead of maintaining attacking pressure, the Mariners retreated too early, inviting sustained pressure from East Bengal.

East Bengal, meanwhile, appeared sluggish during the opening 45 minutes. The players were frequently second to loose balls, while the midfield lacked coordination in linking defence with attack. The absence of quick one-touch passing and coordinated off-the-ball movement allowed Mohun Bagan to dictate the tempo for much of the match.

Both sides also showed signs of limited match sharpness, with several players displaying lazy movement without the ball, delayed pressing, and poor synchronisation during attacking transitions. Opportunities were often wasted because supporting runs arrived too late, leaving the player in possession isolated.

While the quality improved after the introduction of substitutes—particularly for East Bengal—the overall contest suggested that both Kolkata giants are still searching for peak fitness, tactical cohesion, and a more coordinated attacking structure. If they are to challenge strongly for the Durand Cup title, improvements in movement, pressing, and combination play will be essential over the coming weeks.

Looking Ahead

Mohun Bagan’s victory gives the defending champions the perfect start to their campaign, while East Bengal will be encouraged by their spirited second-half response despite the defeat.

The 135th IndianOil Durand Cup continues on Sunday, July 26, with two exciting fixtures:

• Jamshedpur FC vs Defenders FC (Sri Lanka) – 5:00 PM, Birsa Munda Football Stadium, Ranchi
• Indian Army FT vs Samaleswari Sporting – 7:30 PM, Kishore Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata

All 43 matches of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup are being broadcast live on the Sony Sports Network and streamed on Sony LIV.