Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal, Durand Cup 2024: Know all about Kolkata derby in Asia's oldest football tournament

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India's most significant football rivalry is set to take center stage again this Sunday, with Mohun Bagan Super Giant clashing against Emami East Bengal FC in the legendary Kolkata Derby in Durand Cup 2024.

As the highlight of the group stage in this year's Durand Cup, the eagerly awaited match will take place at the renowned Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata, where fans across the country can watch the fierce rivalry unfold live on Sony LIV.

Not only are bragging rights on the line, but the match outcome will also determine which team secures the top spot in the group heading into the knockout stage.

As the city braces for this intense showdown, the first Kolkata Derby of the 2024-25 season carries even greater significance, as it's a rematch of the 2023 Durand Cup final where Mohun Bagan Super Giants claimed their 17th Durand Cup title by defeating East Bengal FC at this very stadium.

This crucial match will decide which team tops the group and advances directly to the next round, while the loser may face elimination from the competition.

Durand Cup Recent History:

Nicknamed the Mariners (Mohun Bagan Super Giant) and the Red and Gold Brigade (Emami East Bengal FC), these two clubs are the most successful in the tournament's history, with the Kolkata giants having won the title a combined 33 times.

The Mariners, with their recent successes, enter the derby as favorites under Head Coach Jose Jimenez, boasting a squad filled with top talent from India and abroad. However, Carles Cuadrat, experienced in the dynamics of derby matches, will look to his team's recent transfer window additions to energize the Red and Gold Brigade.

After defeating the Mariners in last year's group stage, the Red and Gold Brigade is hopeful of delivering another memorable performance in the Durand Cup. With both teams aiming to preserve their perfect records in the competition, the season's first El Clasico promises to be a high-stakes affair.

Representing Indian Football in Asia:

West Bengal's football scene is resurging as two of its most prominent clubs awaken from a period of dormancy. With their domestic achievements earning them automatic qualification for the continental stage of club football, Mohun Bagan Super Giants will join East Bengal, who have also qualified for the preliminary playoffs.

As both teams represent India on the Asian stage this season, football fans will get a preview of the nation's representation at the continental level this Sunday, as the best of Indian football faces off in Asia's oldest tournament, streaming live on the Sony LIV app and website.