Bagan, East Bengal renew rivalry in Durand Cup opener
The 135th Durand Cup kicks off with a high-profile Kolkata derby between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. The tournament faces challenges this year due to scheduling uncertainties and the absence of some top-tier clubs.
Why it matters
Highlights the cultural significance of traditional football rivalries in India despite organizational hurdles in the domestic league.
The new season of Indian football will get underway with the Kolkata derby as Mohun Bagan Super Giant takes on traditional rival East Bengal FC in the Group A fixture of the 135th Durand Cup at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday.
Being one of the oldest tournaments in the world, the Durand Cup fittingly begins with the country’s biggest and oldest football rivalry. East Bengal enters the competition as the reigning Indian Super League champion while Bagan, runner-up in the top division last season, will also be eager to make a winning start to its campaign.
East Bengal will be managed by Spaniard Antonio Lopez Habas, who previously guided both Bagan and the erstwhile ATK to ISL titles. Bagan, meanwhile, will begin a new chapter under Greek coach Panagiotis Dilmperis after the 51-year-old’s move from Punjab FC.
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