East Bengal - Mohun Bagan : The best matches of the past decade

Goal.com's Debjit Lahiri looks back into the best Kolkata derbies of the past decade....

02-Feb-2012 7:51:00 AM

More On :  East Bengal, Mohun Bagan
Mohun Bagan Vs East Bengal (Mango Peel)
EDITORIAL
By Debjit Lahiri

The rivalry between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal dates way back into the 1920s when Suresh Chandra Chaudhuri, an influential industrialist and Jora Bagan's club vice president, severed all connections with them, following the exclusion of star man Sailesh Bose against Mohun Bagan in a Coochbehar cup tie.

A visibly annoyed figure, Chaudhuri went on to establish a new club called East Bengal and thus the seeds were sown for arguably one of the greatest rivalries in world football.

The two clubs are not only just two mere football teams but also the representatives of two distinct cultures in the state of West Bengal. As Chaudhuri and his co-founders hailed from East Bengal, essentially now modern-day Bangladesh, the club were traditionally supported by immigrants from that area, the so called 'Bangals'. On the other hand, the 'Ghotis', natives of West Bengal, formed the major fan base of Mohun Bagan.

This socio-political set-up in Bengal, understandably, further played a role in intensifying the rivalry to what it is today.

Over the years, new stars have emerged from this rivalry, few have faded away from the pages of history, yet what has remained unchanged is the passion and the desire to get the better of each other in every possible occasion. As one says, when these two epic rivals meet records, stats and league positions may well be thrown out of the window. Its a whole different ball game!

So, as Mohun Bagan and East Bengal once again prepare to lock horns in the I-League this Saturday, we at Goal.com look back at some of the best clashes between the two sides in the past decade.

The Revenge Of 1975: Mohun Bagan Put 5 Past East Bengal

Mohun Bagan 5–3 East Bengal
I-League Season 2009-10

In what was later termed as the 'Revenge of 1975', Mohun Bagan avenged their 5-0 defeat at the hands of East Bengal 25 years ago, by putting past 5 goals themselves this time around. 4 goals from Nigerian hitman Chidi Edeh and a strike from youngster Manish Maithani got the better of a Nirmal Chettri goal and Yusif Yakubu's brace.

It was a story of defensive lapses, with both teams failing disastrously to keep each other's attack at bay. Syed Rahim Nabi's ineffectiveness at left back for East Bengal, in the end played pivotal in Mohun Bagan sneaking ahead.
Federation Cup Triumph: Shoot-out Luck Goes The Mohun Bagan Way

Mohun Bagan 1-1 East Bengal  (Pen: 5-3)
Federation Cup Semi-final 2008

After a thrilling encounter, which saw Sanju Pradhan and Jose Ramirez Barreto cancel out each other in normal and extra time, the semi-final encounter was decided by a penalty shoot-out,which saw the Green And Maroon prevail.
The Epic Battle Of IFA Shield: The Mariners  Enter Final At The Cost Of Rivals

Mohun Bagan 1–1 East Bengal (Pen 7-6)
IFA Shield Semi-Final 2004

Goalkeeper Prasanto Dora emerged the hero as title-holders Mohun Bagan clinched a dramatic 8-7 victory over East Bengal via the penalty-shoot out to romp into the final of the 110th IFA Shield football tournament.

The teams were 1-1 after 90 minutes of play and extra-time.

Bagan had forged ahead through Brazilian striker Roberto Mendes Silva (Beto), but Shylo Malswamtulunga equalized for East Bengal to deny the Mariners the win in normal time.
Mohun Bagan Prosper Once Again

Mohun Bagan 4-3 East Bengal
Kolkata Football League 2007

Goals from Lalam, Venkatesh (2) and Jose Ramirez Barreto propelled Mohun Bagan to a comfortable 4-1 lead, early into the second half.

However, late goals from Alvito D'Cunha and Edmilson brought East Bengal right back into the game. With scores on 4-3, a tense last few minutes awaited for the Mariners but fortunately for them, East Bengal couldn't force an equalizer.
The Red And Gold Truimph Over The Mariners

East Bengal 2–1 Mohun Bagan
NFL 2002-03

In a game of almost equal chances it was Alvito D'Cunha and Subhashish Roy Chowdhury who scored the two goals for East Bengal as Jose Ramirez's only goal for Mohun Bagan proved not enough to salvage a draw for the Mariners in a crucial NFL encounter.

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